Join us as we go in depth into the topic of Autism over the next few blog posts. Please feel free to send in any follow up questions or comments that you would like to see addressed.
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
DSM-IV-TR definition of Autism:
- qualitative impairment in social interaction
- qualitative impairment in communication
- restricted, repetitive and stereotypical patterns of behavior, interests and activities
- onset in delays is very early, prior to age three.
According to DSM, impairment in social interaction is manifested in at least two of the
following ways:
- marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye contact, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
- failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
- a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests or achievement with other people
- lack of social or emotional reciprocity
Impairment in communication is manifested by at least one of the following ways:
- delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language, not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication
- in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain conversation with others
- stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language
- lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level
Restricted, repetitive and stereotypical patterns of behavior, interests and
activities are manifested by at least one of the following:
- preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
- apparently inflexible adherence to specific, non-functional routines or rituals; stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms, such as hand or finger flapping, or complex whole body movements
- persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
PDD (pervasive developmental disorder): category of disorders in which many basic
areas of infant and child psychological development are affected at the same time and
to a severe degree.
Autism is a subtype of PDD:
- Excesses: Self-stimulatory behavior, non-compliance, tantrums, aggression,stereo-typical behavior, self-injurious behavior
- Deficits: Delayed language acquisition, social skills, attending, fine/gross motor skills, imitation, emotional, no fear, avoid physical contact, relationship with caregiver, parallel play with peers, symbolic play, stimulus over selectivity, regression of acquired skills
For more about autism read these other blog posts:
What Autism Looks Like
What are the indicators that someone has an autism spectrum disorder?