1.+What+is+Autism?

According to the proposed revisions for the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders V (DSM-V), of the American Psychiatric Association, what was previously known as 'Autistic Disorder' has been renamed 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' and includes Autistic Disorder (classic Autism), Asperger Disorder (or Asperger Syndrome), and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.


 * 'Autistic Spectrum Disorder'** (ASD), is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder, the most severe of the childhood psychiatric conditions (Baron Cohen et al., 2000). It is characterized by deficits in social interaction, social communication and inflexible behaviours that combine to limit and impair the everyday functioning of the person iii . It is a spectrum disorder with affected people displaying a range of disabilities at varying levels ii.

[|Lieberman]


 * Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified** (PDD-NOS) is a diagnosis that occurs when the full criteria for either Autism Disorder or Asperger Syndrome are not met (Johnson, Myers, & and the Council on Children with Disabilities, 2007).


 * Asperger Syndrome (AS)**, as a subgroup of the spectrum disorder, shares many similarities with Autism, such as social interaction difficulties and restricted patterns of behaviour and interest (Baron-Cohen et a., 2000) but people with AS tend to have fewer language delay problems and do not have the associated learning difficulties, although they may have specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) iv,i, . AS is sometimes referred to as 'high functioning autism' ii and people on this side of the spectrum are often of average, or above average, intelligence i.


 * Autistic Disorder**, classic Autism, occurs on the 'lower end' of the spectrum with the person experiencing significant qualitative impairments in socialization, communication and inflexible, stereotypical behavioural and interest patterns. Onset occurs before the age of 3.

According to the U.S Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2009 the prevalence of ASD was estimated to be an average of 1 in 110 American children, including 1 in 70 boys viii. This represents a 600% increase in the past 20 years and a 57% increase from 2002 to 2006. This increase cannot be fully attributed to the broader definition of ASD,nor improved diagnosis, but rather points to the fact that autism is 'an urgent and growing public health crisis' vi.

It is still unclear what the exact cause of ASD is but research by Dawson XXX

In addition, the associated learning difficulties they experience complicate educational therapeutic interventions. i, ii , iv (Landa, 2008).

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