I have been told (by my insurance company) that the AMA as of 1/1/08 has reclassified autism from a serious mental illness to a non-serious mental illness.  I have tried to find information on this change and have not been able to find anything.  I am not an AMA member so the AMA has not been willing to answer the any questions.

I have tried to search the web, but I have not found any information on this change.

Has this change been made?
Where can I learn about it?
Is this causing problems for more than our family?

*****FROM ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT*****

Dear Chuck,

The American Medical Association does not "classify" illnesses serious or otherwise. Mental illnesses are classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV-TR) published by the American Psychiatric Association.

ABC News Medical Unit

Note: Top medical experts on autism answer questions like these on the ABC News OnCall+ Autism site: http://abcnews.com/autism .

*****FROM ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT*****

Are you aware of any changes by any of these organizations concerning autism. 

Our pediatrician, who also has a child with autism, stated that he knew of no such change. 

I am beginning to think that the insurance company is trying to protect their profits in a deceptive way.