Characteristics and Measurement

Question 1

National Autism Society

Answer 1

Definition - a complex life-long disability which affects a persons social and communicative skills.

Question 2

DSM-IV

Answer 2

Measured on DSM-IV - seen as a pervasive mental disorder.

Question 3

Diagnostic Criteria

Answer 3

Across three categories:
1) Lack of interest in others, non-responsive to others, non-verbal issues.
2) Repetitive language, delayed language, problems in conversation.
3) Very narrow interests, extreme preference for routine.
“Autistic” - 2 from category 1 and 1 each from 2 and 3.

Question 4

Bryson

Answer 4

Autism is diagnosed approximately before 13 months years old.
3-4 times more common in males.
But, statistics are different in other countries.

Question 5

Kanner

Answer 5

Excessive desire for sameness or repetition.

Autistics people are bright and have a high level of cognitive functioning.

Question 6

Prior and Wheeler

Answer 6

Recent research.
Contradicts Kanner’s research.
Autistic people have a low IQ (below 70) - that is the figure the DSM-IV use to identify mentally retarded individuals.

Question 7

Frith

Answer 7

Autistic people tend to have 3 characteristics simultaneously:

1) Lack of response/lack of social interaction.
2) Restricted speech/lack of communication.
3) Repetitive behaviour/preoccupied with certain objects.

Question 8

Levels of Autism

Answer 8

Those who are autistic share the same characteristics, but to different extents.
ICD-IX does not have an overall classification on autism.