Autism

Autism
Other names
SpecialtyPsychiatry (neuropsychiatry), clinical psychology, pediatrics, occupational medicine
SymptomsDifficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication; inflexible routines; narrow, restricted interests; repetitive body movements; unusual sensory responses
ComplicationsSocial isolation, educational and employment problems,[1] anxiety,[1] stress,[1] bullying, depression,[1][2] self-harm, suicidality[3][4]
Usual onsetEarly childhood
DurationLifelong
CausesMultifactorial, with many uncertain factors
Risk factorsFamily history, certain genetic conditions, having older parents, certain prescribed drugs, perinatal and neonatal health issues
Diagnostic methodBased on combination of clinical observation of behavior and development and comprehensive diagnostic testing completed by a team of qualified professionals (including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, pediatricians, and speech–language pathologists). For adults, the use of a patient's written and oral history of autistic traits becomes more important
Differential diagnosisIntellectual disability, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, Rett syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizoid personality disorder, selective mutism, schizophrenia, fragile X syndrome, obsessive–compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, Einstein syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder,[5] learning disorders (mainly speech disorders)
ManagementPositive behavior support,[6][7] applied behavior analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, psychotropic medication,[8] speech–language pathology
FrequencyOne in 100 people (1%) worldwide[9][10]

Autism spectrum disorder[a] (ASD), or simply autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive, restricted, and inflexible patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as well as difficulties in social interaction and social communication.[11] Sensory processing differences can produce difficulties in different areas, such as developing social relationships or performing instrumental activities of daily living. Common associated traits such as motor coordination impairment are not required for diagnosis. A formal diagnosis requires that symptoms cause significant impairment in multiple functional domains; in addition, the symptoms must be atypical or excessive for the person's age and sociocultural context.[12][13] Autistic traits fall on a spectrum, manifesting in different ways, with severity and support needs varying widely.[12][13][14] For example, some on the spectrum are nonverbal, while others have proficient spoken language.[15][16]

The view that autism is solely or inherently a disorder has been challenged by the neurodiversity paradigm, which frames autistic traits as a natural variation of the human condition. This view is supported by the autism rights movement and is a topic of research.[17][18][19] The neurodiversity framework has sparked significant debate among autistic people, advocacy groups, healthcare providers, and charities, with disagreements about the nature, classification, and implications of autism spectrum disorder as a diagnosis.[20]

The precise causes of autism are unknown in most individual cases. Research shows that the disorder is highly heritable and polygenic, and neurobiological risks from the environment are also relevant.[21][22][23] Boys are also diagnosed with autism at a significantly higher rate than girls.[24] Autism frequently co-occurs with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, and intellectual disability.[25][26][27]

The combination of broader criteria, increased awareness, and the potential increase of actual prevalence has led to considerably increased estimates of autism prevalence since the 1990s.[28][29] The World Health Organization estimates about 1 in 100 children had autism between 2012 and 2021, as that was the average estimate in studies during that period, with a trend of increasing prevalence over time.[b][9][10] This increasing prevalence has contributed to the myth perpetuated by anti-vaccine activists that autism is caused by vaccines.[30]

There is no known cure for autism. Some advocates dispute the need to find one.[31] Interventions such as applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech therapy, and occupational therapy can help these children gain self-care, social, and language skills.[32][33] Guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and European Society for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry endorse the use of ABA on the grounds that it reduces symptoms impairing daily functioning and quality of life,[32][34] but the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence cites a lack of high-quality evidence to support its use.[35] Additionally, some in the autism rights movement oppose its application due to a perception that it emphasizes normalization.[36][37][38] No medication has been shown to reduce ASD's core symptoms,[34] but some can alleviate co-occurring problems.[39][40][41]


Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).

  1. ^ a b c d Bonati M, Cartabia M, Clavenna A (January 2022). "Still too much delay in recognition of autism spectrum disorder". Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences. 31 (e1). Cambridge University Press: e1. doi:10.1017/S2045796021000822. ISSN 2045-7960. LCCN 2011243374. OCLC 727338545. PMC 8786613. PMID 35012703. S2CID 245851335.
  2. ^ Pezzimenti F, Han GT, Vasa RA, Gotham K (2019). "Depression in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder". Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 28 (3): 397–409. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2019.02.009. PMC 6512853. PMID 31076116.
  3. ^ Cassidy S, Bradley L, Shaw R, Baron-Cohen S (2018). "Risk markers for suicidality in autistic adults". Molecular Autism. 9 (1): 42. doi:10.1186/s13229-018-0226-4. ISSN 2040-2392. PMC 6069847. PMID 30083306.
  4. ^ "6 Reasons Autistic People Are at Greater Risk of Suicide". Psychology Today. Archived from the original on 11 April 2025.
  5. ^ "At the intersection of autism and trauma". Spectrum News. 26 September 2018. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022. And people with more autistic,in other forms of PTSD
  6. ^ "What is Positive Behaviour Support?". Aspect. Archived from the original on 23 March 2025.
  7. ^ "Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)". National Autistic Society. Archived from the original on 28 February 2025.
  8. ^ "Autism's drug problem". Spectrum News. 19 April 2017. Archived from the original on 11 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  9. ^ a b Zeidan J, Fombonne E, Scorah J, Ibrahim A, Durkin MS, Saxena S, Yusuf A, Shih A, Elsabbagh M (15 May 2022). "Global prevalence of autism: A systematic review update". Autism Research. 15 (5): 778–790. doi:10.1002/aur.2696. ISSN 1939-3806. PMC 9310578. PMID 35238171.
  10. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference World Health Organization-2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Association. 2013. p. 31.
  12. ^ a b (World Health Organization: International Classification of Diseases version 11 (ICD-11)): https://icd.who.int/browse/2024-01/mms/en#437815624
  13. ^ a b "IACC Subcommittee Diagnostic Criteria - DSM-5 Planning Group". iacc.hhs.gov. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  14. ^ Waizbard-Bartov E, Fein D, Lord C, Amaral DG (2023). "Autism severity and its relationship to disability". Autism Research. 16 (4): 685–696. doi:10.1002/aur.2898. ISSN 1939-3806. PMC 10500663. PMID 36786314.
  15. ^ Zhuang H, Liang Z, Ma G, Qureshi A, Ran X, Feng C, Liu X, Yan X, Shen L (2024). "Autism spectrum disorder: Pathogenesis, biomarker, and intervention therapy". Medcomm. 5 (3): e497. doi:10.1002/mco2.497. PMC 10908366. PMID 38434761.
  16. ^ Hong SJ, Valk SL, Di Martino A, Milham MP, Bernhardt BC (2017). "Multidimensional Neuroanatomical Subtyping of Autism Spectrum Disorder". Cerebral Cortex (New York, NY). 28 (10): 3578–3588. doi:10.1093/cercor/bhx229. PMC 7190887. PMID 28968847.
  17. ^ Kapp, Steven K. Autistic community and the neurodiversity movement: Stories from the frontline. Springer Nature, 2020.
  18. ^ Jaarsma, Pier, and Stellan Welin. "Autism as a natural human variation: Reflections on the claims of the neurodiversity movement." Health care analysis 20 (2012): 20-30.
  19. ^ Dwyer, Patrick, et al. "Community views of neurodiversity, models of disability and autism intervention: Mixed methods reveal shared goals and key tensions." Autism (2024): 13623613241273029.
  20. ^ Opar A (24 April 2019). "In search of truce in the autism wars". Spectrum. Simons Foundation. doi:10.53053/VRKL4748. S2CID 249140855. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  21. ^ Hodges H, Fealko C, Soares N (February 2020). "Autism spectrum disorder: definition, epidemiology, causes, and clinical evaluation". Translational Pediatrics. 9 (Suppl 1): S55–S5S65. doi:10.21037/tp.2019.09.09. ISSN 2224-4344. PMC 7082249. PMID 32206584.
  22. ^ Ratajczak HV (1 March 2011). "Theoretical aspects of autism: Causes—A review". Journal of Immunotoxicology. 8 (1): 68–79. doi:10.3109/1547691X.2010.545086. ISSN 1547-691X. PMID 21299355.
  23. ^ Mandy W, Lai MC (March 2016). "Annual Research Review: The role of the environment in the developmental psychopathology of autism spectrum condition". Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines. 57 (3): 271–292. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12501. eISSN 1469-7610. ISSN 0021-9630. OCLC 01307942. PMID 26782158.
  24. ^ Cite error: The named reference CDC 2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  25. ^ Bertelli MO, Azeem MW, Underwood L, Scattoni ML, Persico AM, Ricciardello A, Sappok T, Bergmann T, Keller R (2022), Bertelli MO, Deb S(, Munir K, Hassiotis A (eds.), "Autism Spectrum Disorder", Textbook of Psychiatry for Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cham: Springer International Publishing, p. 391, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-95720-3_16, ISBN 978-3-319-95720-3, retrieved 8 June 2022, Persons with autism spectrum disorder and/or other neurodevelopmental problems are more likely than the general population to have transgender identity, non-heterosexual sexual orientation, and other gender non-conformities.
  26. ^ Lord C, Charman T, Havdahl A, Carbone P, Anagnostou E, Boyd B, Carr T, de Vries PJ, Dissanayake C, Divan G, et al. (2022). "The Lancet Commission on the future of care and clinical research in autism" (PDF). The Lancet. 399 (10321): 299–300. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01541-5. hdl:11250/2975811. PMID 34883054. S2CID 244917920 – via Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
  27. ^ Graham Holmes L, Ames JL, Massolo ML, Nunez DM, Croen LA (1 April 2022). "Improving the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Health Care of Autistic People". Pediatrics. 149 (Supplement 4). American Academy of Pediatrics: e2020049437J. doi:10.1542/peds.2020-049437J. ISSN 0031-4005. PMID 35363286. A substantial proportion of autistic adolescents and adults are LGBTQIA+. Autistic people are more likely to be transgender or gender nonconforming compared with non-autistic people, and findings from a recent autism registry study suggest that among autistic people able to self-report on a survey, up to 18% of men and 43% of women may be sexual minorities.
  28. ^ Wazana A, Bresnahan M, Kline J (June 2007). "The autism epidemic: fact or artifact?". Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 46 (6): 721–730. doi:10.1097/chi.0b013e31804a7f3b. PMID 17513984.
  29. ^ Cite error: The named reference Russell 2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  30. ^ DeStefano F, Shimabukuro TT (September 2019). "The MMR Vaccine and Autism". Annual Review of Virology. 6 (1): 585–600. doi:10.1146/annurev-virology-092818-015515. PMC 6768751. PMID 30986133.
  31. ^ Eric Barnes R, McCabe H (2012). "Should we welcome a cure for autism? A survey of the arguments". Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy. 15 (3): 255–269. doi:10.1007/s11019-011-9339-7. ISSN 1386-7423. PMID 21837546.
  32. ^ a b CDC (18 July 2024). "Treatment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder". Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  33. ^ Cite error: The named reference AutismResearch2023Study was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  34. ^ a b Fuentes J, Hervás A, Howlin P, ESCAP ASD Working Party (2020). "ESCAP practice guidance for autism: a summary of evidence‑based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment" (PDF). European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 30 (6): 961–984. doi:10.1007/s00787-020-01587-4. PMC 8140956. PMID 32666205.
  35. ^ "Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: recognition, referral and diagnosis". National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Clinical guideline). 20 December 2017 [28 September 2011]. Retrieved 28 November 2024. Consultees felt that applied behavioural analysis (ABA) should be recommended by NICE as an intervention to manage autism in children and young people. However, it was noted that high quality evidence was not found for ABA during guideline development or surveillance review. Most of the evidence for ABA comes from single-case experimental designs which have limitations like the restriction of generalisation to wider population and the high risk of publication bias.
  36. ^ "EUCAP Position Statement on ABA". EUCAP. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  37. ^
  38. ^ Kirkham P (1 April 2017). "'The line between intervention and abuse' – autism and applied behaviour analysis". History of the Human Sciences. 30 (2): 107–126. doi:10.1177/0952695117702571. ISSN 0952-6951. S2CID 152017417.
  39. ^ "Medication Treatment for Autism". www.nichd.nih.gov/. 19 April 2021. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  40. ^ Rzepka-Migut B, Paprocka J (2020). "Efficacy and Safety of Melatonin Treatment in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder—A Review of the Literature". Brain Sciences. 10 (4): 219. doi:10.3390/brainsci10040219. ISSN 2076-3425. PMC 7226342. PMID 32272607.
  41. ^ Peled J, Cassuto H, Berger I (2 April 2020). "Processing speed as a marker to stimulant effect in clinical sample of children with high functioning autism spectrum disorder". Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. 74 (3): 163–167. doi:10.1080/08039488.2019.1686063. ISSN 0803-9488. PMID 31686565.

© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search