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8 Clinical Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Pages 157-168

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From page 157...
... , is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, along with repetitive or stereotyped patterns of behaviors and often restricted interests. The diagnosis of ASD is typically made during childhood, based on comprehensive behavioral evaluations by specialists in child psychiatry or psychology or by those in behavioral and developmental pediatrics.
From page 158...
... . Current practice guidelines suggest that there should be a comprehensive assessment involving structured observations of the child's behavior; extensive parental interviews; testing of cognition, speech and language, hearing, vision, and motor function; a physical examination; and a collection of medical and family history information (Millward et al., 2008; Nye and Brice, 2005; Reichow et al., 2010, 2013)
From page 159...
... In adolescence some individuals make major gains in functioning, while a smaller number lose skills. Improved access to treatment and earlier case detection appear to be associated with a significant shift in outcome, with many more adults now achieving independence and more attending college and becoming employed, although even with good treatments, not every individual makes major gains (Howlin et al., 2014)
From page 160...
... . One indication that Wing was correct is a recent study from Sweden, a country with universal health care and access to comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services, which found no excess of ASD among children of high socioeconomic status and in fact found that the prevalence of ASD decreased slightly with increasing socioeconomic status (Rai et al., 2012)
From page 161...
... Even for the most cognitively able individuals with ASD, problems with the generalization of knowledge into real-life situations are a source of considerable impairment, and deficits in functional skills have frequently been included as a defining feature of the condition (Klin et al., 2007)
From page 162...
... . In spite of the availability of assessment instruments, the severity of impairment in autism remains complex, because expressions of the syndrome change with age, particularly in early childhood and in adolescence, where some individuals make major gains while others lose skills.
From page 163...
... The available literature varies, reflecting major differences in research that arise from a large number of different professional disciplines involved in the treatment of ASD. A review of five meta-analyses by Reichow reported effect sizes for psychosocial, early intensive behavioral interventions ranging from 0.38 to 1.19 for IQ and 0.3 to 1.09 for adaptive behavior (Reichow et al., 2012)
From page 164...
... • Early diagnosis and the application of evidence-based interventions increase the likelihood that a child will have better outcomes and reduced functional impairments. The goals of treatment are to minimize disruptive effects and to improve adaptive functioning.
From page 165...
... 2012. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders: Autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 14 sites, United States, 2008.
From page 166...
... In Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders, fourth edition, edited by F
From page 167...
... -based parent intervention on toddlers at risk for autism spectrum disorders: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 51(10)
From page 168...
... Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 53(2)


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