Click here to access full list of resources and information.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a diagnostic term that is used by clinicians to describe the profile of individuals who have additional support needs in the areas of social communication, social interaction and flexibility of thinking. Historically, these needs were often referred to in literature as a ‘triad of impairments’ (Wing & Gould, 1979).
From a clinical perspective, Autism Spectrum Disorder is a pervasive developmental disorder.
The word ‘Autistic’ derives from the word ‘auto’ meaning ‘self’, and was used by both Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger to describe the presentation of subjects in their respective early studies in the area.
East Renfrewshire’s Autism Diagnostic Team use the World Health Organization (WHO) definition in their decision making process:
“ASD refers to a range of conditions characterised by some degree of impaired social behaviour, communication and language, and a narrow range of interests and activities that are both unique to the individual and carried out repetitively.”
(International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10, WHO)
An eleventh version of ICD is scheduled for publication and may well follow the most recently revised definition from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V) which is used in the United States of America.
By the DSM V definition, Autism Spectrum Disorder is diagnosed where there are:
“persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction”
“restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests” (this includes sensory behaviour)
present since early childhood, to the extent that these “limit and impair everyday functioning”
Using DSM V, an individual may be given a diagnosis of Social Communication Disorder rather than ASD where there is:
”presence of persistent social communication and social interaction difficulties”
“absence of restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour”
DSM V removed various diagnostic terms that were used previously, including: Childhood Autism, Autistic Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified.
Source: National Autistic Society
