| An
Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders |
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According
to current international diagnostic opinion, autism
and Asperger syndrome are Pervasive
Developmental Disorders. The term Pervasive Developmental
Disorder was first used in 1980 to refer to a group of disorders
usually identified during childhood and believed to be caused
by a physical dysfunction of the brain. The cause is unknown.
These disorders
are characterised by significant impairments in communication
and socialisation, and restricted and repetitive patterns
of interest and activity. Pervasive Developmental Disorder
is an umbrella term that describes the nature of the disorders.
They are described as pervasive as they affect many areas
of the person’s functioning including socialisation,
cognition, communication and behaviour. The word developmental
is used to indicate that the disorders manifest very early
in a person’s life and, therefore, affect the course
of development.
Recently,
the term Autism Spectrum Disorder has been used to group
two of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders - autism and
Asperger syndrome.
Autism
Spectrum Disorder is not a specific diagnostic category.
It is a term used to refer collectively to autism and Asperger
syndrome. It indicates that people with autism and Asperger
syndrome have the same underlying core deficits, but their presentation
varies across a spectrum of cognitive and communicative
abilities, and behavioural patterns.
The diversity of characteristics has led professionals
to use a range of terms to describe the severity and limitations
a person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder or a similar disorder
may display. Descriptions include ‘autistic tendencies’,
‘autistic features’, ‘Kanner’s syndrome’,
‘Asperger syndrome’, ‘autistic behaviours’,
and ‘atypical autism’. Some of these labels are
used to describe people who do not have an Autism Spectrum
Disorder but who are exhibiting features similar to Autism
Spectrum Disorders.
At this time
there are no medical or psychological tests to diagnose
Autism Spectrum Disorders, so a diagnosis is based on the
presence of a cluster of behavioural characteristics or
indicators. Diagnoses should be made by clinicians experienced
in the varying presentation of individuals with an Autism
Spectrum Disorder. No single behaviour is indicative of
Autism Spectrum Disorders and no single behaviour rules
out the diagnosis; the significant factor is the pattern
of behaviour.
A diagnosis
requires that significant deficits in the areas of social
interaction, communication, and restricted, repetitive patterns
of interest and activity exist for each individual. However,
each person will present differently and be affected in
each area to varying degrees. The behaviours associated
with Autism Spectrum Disorders can vary within an individual
as they grow and develop, experience different environments
and respond to situations in their daily life.
Individuals
with an Autism Spectrum Disorder can display behaviours
that can be complex and challenging. This can make it difficult
for people to recognise and understand the significant difficulties
faced every day by individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
It can result in people labeling the person with an Autism
Spectrum Disorder as naughty or wilful. Others may blame
parents or teachers for an inability to manage behaviour,
when this is not the case.
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