Autistic Spectrum Essay

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Autism is a very complex neurodevelopmental disorder previously classified in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders -- fourth edition -- text revision (DSM -- IV -- TR) as a pervasive developmental disorder (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000). In 2013 the diagnostic scheme for pervasive developmental disorders was changed and that term was deleted from the DSM-5 (APA, 2013). The new designation became Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD's) and now represents a heterogeneous set of disorders that clinically present as a spectrum of developmental issues ranging from severe cognitive impairment to functional cognitive impairment. The diagnosis of ASD replaces the previous diagnoses of autistic disorder (often called autism), Asperger's disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and the rather vague category of pervasive developmental disorder that is not otherwise specified (APA, 2013). ASD's are characterized by varying levels of deficits in social skills (these skills are identified as being deficits in skills of social interaction and social communication) and the presence of restrictive repetitive behaviors (RPR; these can include actual repetitive behavior such as hand flapping or such things as interests or other activities). In order to be diagnosed with an ASD the child must display both of these symptoms to some degree (APA, 2013).

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If the child demonstrates only symptomatic problems with communication and social interaction without the presence of any RPR's the diagnosis of a social communication disorder is now deemed appropriate by the APA (APA, 2013).

Deficits and Etiology

In nearly every case of autism the disorder is recognized at an early age, often before the age of three, and the core symptoms are recognized. The core symptoms of autism include the following:

A. Difficulties in the child's ability to understand and interpret the intentions or emotions other people display. For instance, an early common symptom of children with autism is the observation that children with ASD do not reciprocate smiles, whereas young babies without ASD instinctively reciprocate smiles and produce smiles as a means to garner attention from adults (APA, 2000, 2013; Sadock & Sadock, 2007). In addition, autistic children also do not respond to changes in voice inflection (APA, 2000, 2013; Sadock & Sadock, 2007).

B. ASD children display a reduced capacity for social interaction and communication. Often parents will notice quite early that these children lack the ability to respond to their attempts to get the child to reciprocate emotions such as happiness,.....

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