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Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism is a complex neurological disorder appearing from birth or early in development. A “spectrum” disorder, its effects range from mild to severe, impacting essential human behaviors such as language and the communication of ideas and feelings; imagination; self-regulation; and, the ability to engage in relationships. Four times more prevalent in males, autism is estimated to affect 1 in every 91-110 children in the US, occurring more than cancer, diabetes and any other childhood disease or disorder. Currently, the causes of autism are undetermined, treatments are not fully effective and there is no known cure.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders is currently obtained through clinical observation.  In the diagnostic manual used to classify disabilities, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) (American Psychiatric Association, 1994), "autistic disorder" is listed as a category under the heading of "Pervasive Developmental Disorders." Autism is considered a pervasive developmental disorder because of its wide-ranging impact on the individual.  A diagnosis of autistic disorder is made when a person displays six or more of twelve symptoms listed across these three major areas:

• Social Interaction

• Communication

• Behavior

The term "autistic spectrum disorder" (ASD) is used to cover five developmental disabilities.  However, the most commonly addressed "autism spectrum" conditions are:

• Autism, or Autistic Disorder

• Asperger's Disorder

• Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-not otherwise specified) 

Treatment

National Standards Report Addressing the need for Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for Autism Spectrum Disorders The National Standards Report (NSR) seeks to: provide the strength of evidence supporting educational and behavioral treatments that target the core characteristics of these neurological disorders describe the age, diagnosis, and skills/behaviors targeted for improvement associated with treatment options identify the limitations of the current body of research on autism treatment offer recommendations for engaging in evidence-based practice for ASD    National Standards Report  PDF