Autism or the correct diagnostical term – autism spectrum disorder, can be defined as a developmental disorder in social communication skills appearing at an early age (usually in the first 2 years of life). The ‘spectrum’ refers to the different and varying levels of severity with which it can affect someone. In layman’s terms, every patient with autism will have different symptoms and challenges.
- Between 1995 to 2011, autism was grouped with Asperger’s syndrome and Pervasive developmental disorder in the DSM-4; Asperger’s syndrome was said to be on the low severity scale of the ‘spectrum’ of autism. However, DSM-5 no longer follows this.
- The definition of the autism spectrum disorder in the DSM-5 states that an autism diagnosis requires persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts
Video by Dr Dr Ruchi Shirudhkar related with above PDF
