About Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurobiological disorder that typically affects development within the first three years of life and is characterized by deficits and symptoms in the following three areas (domains):

1. impaired social interaction,

2. impaired verbal and non-verbal communication, and

3. stereotyped and restricted behaviors, play, and/or interests (DSM-IV-TR, American Psychiatric Association, 2000; ICD-10, 1993).

For complete DSM-IV Criteria for Autistic Disorder, go to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: CDC – Autism Sprectrum Disorders

In addition to the behavioral issues, which have been the primary means for diagnosing an ASD, more recent research has identified a higher incidence of medical, genetic, metabolic, immunologic, and neurologic problems in persons with ASD (Herbert, 2005). Consequently, ASD is no longer viewed as a strictly behavioral disorder, but a complex, neurobiological condition affecting multiple areas of a person’s overall functioning and learning capacity.

Signs/Characteristics of Autism:

Symptoms are characterized by a combination of symptoms in the following areas:

Impaired Communication Ability May not: speak (or speak in non-functional way, meaning may say things that do not seem to make sense for the situation), use gestures (pointing, waving, etc.), babble, coo, or gesture by 12 months, use single words by 16 months, use two word phrases by 24 months, use normal rhythm, volume, or pitch in speech
Repetitive and/or Restricted Behaviors May exhibit: stereotypical and intense focus on certain behaviors such as hand flapping, spinning, rocking, toe walking, or other repetitive (non-purposeful) movements with body, limited fine motor skills, overly focused on objects or parts of objects, may regularly line up toys or objects
Impaired Social Skills May not: respond to name (appear deaf), search for hidden objects, share interests with others, have warm expressions, interact with other children or family (appears aloof), desire to be with others (prefers to be alone), make eye contact
Other Noted Symptoms Over or under sensory reaction (may bothered by light, smells, sounds, texture, or touch); may seem insensitive to pain, sleeping difficulties, behavior issues such as extreme tantrums (meltdowns), very routine-focused and may have emotional difficulty with change


Autism versus ASD:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an “umbrella” term, which captures the broader range of functioning and presentation found in individuals with an ASD. Autism Spectrum Disorders include three diagnoses; Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Asperger’s Syndrome, and classic Autism. Individuals with classic Autism meet specific quantitative and qualitative criteria for the disorder to a greater extent than those with PDD (i.e., they have more of the autism features overall and these are present in greater frequency and intensity). Consequently, individuals with classic Autism will fall at the lowest functioning range of the spectrum. Individuals with PDD present with more criteria (and consequently, tend to be lower functioning) than those with Asperger’s.

The following is a graphic displaying the various diagnoses under the “autism umbrella” (based on DSM-IV criteria).

Spectrum of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Descriptions of Impairment
(describes each area under the umbrella)

PDD-NOS

Impaired Social Interaction

or

Impaired Communication

or

Restricted, repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behaviors, interests, or social activities

(Considered “high functioning”)

 

Examples of Possible Behaviors

  • Difficulty making or keeping friends
  • Difficulty expressing wants or needs
  • Does not appear to share enjoyment of toys or activities with others
  • Not developing verbal or non-verbal communication skills at peer levels
  • Overly focused on certain routines, activities, toys, objects
  • Repeat same behaviors, i.e. spinning, hand flapping, rocking, lining up toys consistently in the same way or order; likes to do the same activity repeatedly
  • Extreme behaviors such as tantrums, be overly sensitive to the certain items or activities in the environments (lights, sounds, smells, textures, pressure, movement)
  • Limited sense of danger
Autistic Disorder

Impaired Social Interaction

and

Impaired Communication

and

Restricted, repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behaviors, interests, or social activities

(Maintains a range of “high to low functioning”)

Examples of Possible Behaviors

  • Difficulty making or keeping friends
  • Difficulty expressing wants or needs
  • Does not appear to share enjoyment of toys or activities with others
  • Not developing verbal or non-verbal communication skills at peer levels
  • Overly focused on certain routines, activities, toys, objects
  • Repeat same behaviors, i.e. spinning, hand flapping, rocking, lining up toys consistently in the same way or order; likes to do the same activity repeatedly
  • Extreme behaviors such as tantrums, be overly sensitive to the certain items or activities in the environments (lights, sounds, smells, textures, pressure, movement)
  • Limited sense of danger
Asperger’s Disorder

Impaired Social Interaction

and

Normal Communication

and

Language Development

and

Restricted, repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behaviors, interests, or social activities

(Considered “high functioning”)

Examples of Possible Behaviors

  • Difficulty making or keeping friendsDifficulty understanding perspective of others; takes things literally; does not understand sarcasm or innuendo; may seem self-absorbed
  • Can verbally express wants and needs; may repeat statements or phrases
  • May do very well in school overall, or be very strong in certain areas and struggle in other subjects
  • May insist on consistent routines—(i.e. always taking the same route to school)

 

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