The complicated history of autism diagnosis. So much has changed.
This article is an addendum to my book, Invisible Parents: Hidden Secrets of Special Needs Parents: A Book of Hope, and my intention is to keep special needs parents updated on the most current research.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)is a neurodevelopmental disease with a wide range of conditions that vary from child to child. Characterized by repetitive behaviors, poor social skills, speech impediments, and nonverbal communication, the symptoms are severe in some children and less in others. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that ASD affects approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States.
ASD diagnosis has a long, complex history, and like the spectrum disorder itself, continues to evolve as new research and medical discoveries are born. ASD presented today — its symptoms and characteristics — is far different from decades ago (Autism Society, 2021). This article explores the unique journey of ASD in the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and hopefully makes autism easier to understand for parents and caregivers.
(See the full article here)
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