Published Paper Details:

Autism is characterized by difficulty in reciprocal social interaction, communication impairment and behavioural abnormalities. May 2013 publication of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-V), all autism disorders were merged into one umbrella diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Previously, they were recognized as distinct subtypes, including Autistic Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art. Most cases of autism, however, appear to be caused by a combination of autism risk genes and environmental factors influencing early brain development. There is evidence to suggest that diagnostic features of ASD are evident in very young children with observing symptoms within the first 2 years of life. The assessment of Autism focuses on the skills most essential for social and communication development is conducted to determine an individual's current profile of social communication skills, identify priority learning objectives within natural communication contexts and examine the influence of the communication partner and the environment. Core challenges of ASD take different forms as an individual responds to intervention and progresses through developmental stages from pre-linguistic to emerging language and advanced language stages. Actual goals will vary based on those aspects of development that are consistent with family priorities and with the individual's functional needs within his or her current social contexts. Treatment for individuals with ASD typically includes, setting goals based on assessment data that target the core deficits in ASD and focus on initiating spontaneous communication in functional activities and using a range of approaches for enhancing communication skills along a continuum from behavioral to developmental.