What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

ASD used to be called Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). These terms mean the same thing. PDD is the diagnostic classification in the DSM-IV (4th edition of the most widely used diagnostic manual of mental disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association in 1994). In the DSM-IV, PDD included five types or categories: autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

The American Psychiatric Association released the new fifth edition of the DSM in May 2013. In the DSM-5 the term ASD has replaced PDD. Additionally, the DSM-5 does not have any catego-ries under ASD so that all individuals meeting the diagnostic criteria will fall under one autism spectrum. This change was made because research indicates the categories that were under PDD cannot be reliably distinguished. This means the categories of autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, and PDD-NOS will no longer be used—instead the diagnosis of ASD will be used to cover the full spectrum.

Diagnosing ASD can be difficult because there are no medical or blood tests. The diagnosis is based on behavioral symptoms or features. These features include the absence of or delays in typical developmental milestones and the presence of unusual behaviors.

The diagnosis can involve a two-stage process. The first stage is screening, usually by doctors at well-child visits using validated screening checklists that parents fill out. The second stage is a com-prehensive diagnostic evaluation usually conducted by a multidisci-plinary team that gathers information from an interview and struc- tured observation.

Early detection means earlier access to intervention. An experienced professional can make a diagnosis of ASD as early as 18 to 24 months of age, but often ASD is not diagnosed until 3 to 5 years of age or later, after the window of opportunity for very early intervention. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children be screened for ASD at 18 and 24 months of age.

Social communication

• Limited use of gestures such as giving, showing, waving, clapping, pointing, or nodding their head
• Delayed speech or no social babbling/chatting
• Makes odd sounds or has an unusual tone of voice
• Difficulty using eye contact, gestures, and sounds or words all at the same time
• Little or no pretending or imitating of other people
• Stopped using words that they used to say
• Uses another person’s hand as a tool (e.g., putting parent’s hand on a jar for them to open the lid)

Social interaction

• Does not look right at people or hard to get them to look at you
• Does not share warm, joyful expressions
• Does not respond when someone calls their name
• Does not draw your attention to things or show you things they’re interested in
• Does not share enjoyment or interests with others

Repetitive behaviors and restricted interests

• Unusual ways of moving their hands, fingers, or whole body
• Develops rituals such as lining objects up or repeating things over and over
• Very focused on or attached to unusual kinds of objects such as strips of cloth, wooden spoons, rocks, vents, or doorstops
• Excessive interest in particular objects, actions, or activities that interferes with social interaction
• Unusual sensory interests such as sniffing objects or looking out of the corner of their eye
• Over- or under-reaction to certain sounds, textures, or other sensory input