Autism Spectrum Disorders are characterised by significant and chronic
impairment in a number of different developmental areas.
The main developmental domains that affected are social
interaction (especially the perception of social cues), impaired communication
skills (both verbal and non-verbal) and stereotyped behaviour
patterns, interests and activities. Autism Spectrum
Disorders include Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder/Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental
Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).
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AUTISM SYMPTOMS
A brief
description of the different developmental areas that are commonly
impaired in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders is outlined
below:
SOCIAL FUNCTIONING
The most
easily recognisable characteristic of ASDs is a gross impairment in
reciprocal social functioning. Children with ASDs don't respond to
other people's emotions and lack "theory of mind", the knowledge
that others possess feelings, wants and desires. When these children
interact with others they show an inability to rely on
non-verbal skills, such as eye contact, appropriate facial
expression, gestures and body posture. Consequently, they are
unable to form close and enduring relationships.
Similarly, children with ASDs show little or no need
for social relationships and
sharing.
COMMUNICATION
Most often communication
problems manifest by delay in language development, the inability to
initiate or maintain a conversation, idiosyncratic language use
(e.g., repetition of single words) and the lack of age
appropriate make believe play.
BEHAVIOUR
PATTERNS
ASDs are often
characterised by stereotyped behaviour patterns, interests and
activities. Children with ASDs can be obsessive
about routines, timetables or objects. They may show
stereotyped and repetitive motor movements, such as flapping
fingers or wrists, walking on toes or whole body
movements. Children may also show extreme fascination with
moving or spinning objects and can spend an excessive
amount of time watching the same
movement. |
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AUTISM SPECTRUM SUBTYPES
Autism
spectrum refers to a cluster of developmental disorders that are
characterised by similar difficulties. Although the difficulties children and people
with ASDs experience are similar, the composition
of symptoms can vary significantly, leading to different diagnoses.
The main ASD subtypes are:
AUTISTIC DISORDER
Autistic disorder refers to a condition
where all the three important developmental areas are affected
(social functioning, communication and behaviour patterns). Children
with Autistic Disorder show symptoms before age 3
years. Autistic disorder is also often accompanied by
intellectual disability.
ASPERGER'S DISORDER
Asperger's disorder, often called high
functioning autism, is characterised by impaired social functioning
and stereotyped behaviour patterns and interests. Children with
Asperger's disorder show no deficit in speech development
and language use. Similarly, children with Asperger's disorder
show intact or above average intellectual
ability.
PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER - NOT OTHERWISE
SPECIFIED (PDD-NOS)
This condition refers to significant
social impairment, but without diagnosable communication
and/or behavioural deficit. Both communication difficulties
and/or behavioural patterns may be present, but only to a mild
degree and without leading to a significant functional
impairment.
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COURSE AND
PROGNOSIS
The course of ASDs is chronic and
difficult to treat. The most important part of treatment
is family therapy and the education of family members
about the disorder. A patient and skillful approach can
significantly improve the quality of life for children
with ASDs. Long term outcome also depends on the child's
intelligence, with higher intellectual ability often
predicting better overall
functioning. |
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