What is ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) used to have different diagnoses for 'autism-related' disorders. You might have heard about classic autism, high-functioning autism, Asperger's Syndrome, or PDD-NOS. However, one might claim that the difference between these diagnoses is based solely on intellectual ability and acquiring of language and that the real autistic characteristics are basically the same. A person with no speech might just as well be quite intelligent but unable to speak because of severe sensory processing disorder. And even a person who does speak may be temporarily mute when exposed to certain triggers. Moreover, every autistic person is different and will show different strengths and difficulties, therefore needing a different kind of assessment which has nothing to do with their intellectual ability.
In the newest version of the DSM (DSM-5), struggles on which diagnose to impose on a certain person are over, as now all 'variations' are grouped under the Autism Spectrum Disorders. This is not a spectrum which ranges from severe to mild, nor can one person be placed on the same spot of this spectrum at all times. I personally think this new terminology it is a huge step forward and will help to give more people formerly described as high-functioning the aid that they need, if and when they need it.
So what exactly are the characteristics of ASD?
People with ASD tend to have communication deficits, such as responding inappropriately in conversations, misreading nonverbal interactions, or having difficulty building friendships appropriate to their age. In addition, people with ASD may be overly dependent on routines, highly sensitive to changes in their environment, or intensely focused on inappropriate items. (American Psychiatric Association)
The concrete diagnostic criteria of ASD in the DSM-5 are the following:
A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by (for example) the following, currently or by history:
B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interest, or activities, as manifested (for example) by at least two of the following, currently or by history:
Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities, or may be masked by learned strategies in later life).
Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning. These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder) or global developmental delay.
In the newest version of the DSM (DSM-5), struggles on which diagnose to impose on a certain person are over, as now all 'variations' are grouped under the Autism Spectrum Disorders. This is not a spectrum which ranges from severe to mild, nor can one person be placed on the same spot of this spectrum at all times. I personally think this new terminology it is a huge step forward and will help to give more people formerly described as high-functioning the aid that they need, if and when they need it.
So what exactly are the characteristics of ASD?
People with ASD tend to have communication deficits, such as responding inappropriately in conversations, misreading nonverbal interactions, or having difficulty building friendships appropriate to their age. In addition, people with ASD may be overly dependent on routines, highly sensitive to changes in their environment, or intensely focused on inappropriate items. (American Psychiatric Association)
The concrete diagnostic criteria of ASD in the DSM-5 are the following:
A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by (for example) the following, currently or by history:
- Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, ranging, for example, from abnormal social approach and failure of normal back-and-forth conversation, to reduced sharing of interests, emotions, or affect, to failure to initiate or respond to social interactions.
- Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviours used for social interaction, ranging, for example, from poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal communication, to abnormalities in eye contact and body language or deficits in understand and use of gestures, to a total lack of facial expressions and nonverbal communication.
- Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understand relationships, ranging, for example, from difficulties adjusting behaviour to suit various social contexts, to difficulties in sharing imaginative play or in making friends, to absence of interest in peers.
B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interest, or activities, as manifested (for example) by at least two of the following, currently or by history:
- Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g., simple motor stereotypes, lining up toys or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases).
- Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualised patterns of verbal or nonverbal behaviour (e.g., extreme distress at small changes, difficulties with transitions, rigid thinking patterns, greeting rituals, need to take same route or eat same food every day).
- Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus (e.g., strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests).
- Hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g., apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement).
Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities, or may be masked by learned strategies in later life).
Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning. These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder) or global developmental delay.