Autism

Autism spectrum disorder, or simply autism, is one of those disorders often portrayed in movies, and for this reason, we all have an idea (whether accurate or not) of what the behavior of an individual with autism might be like.

Let's try to list some ideas that people may have about autistic behavior: these individuals tend to avoid social contact, have highly organized routines, dislike changes, have "fixations," and some might exhibit exceptional talents. Let's organize these ideas in a clinical context.

The Diagnostic Manual (DSM) allows for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder when two criteria are met:

• Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction
• Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.

Furthermore, these symptoms must significantly impact the individual's life and cannot be explained by a different disorder. Additionally, as it is a neurodevelopmental disorder, these symptoms must manifest early in life. Let's delve deeper into the first two points.

Deficits in social communication and social interaction. These are all the shortcomings that make it difficult to build relationships. For example, communication can be complicated because eye contact might be avoided, body language is inconsistent, or conversations are not reciprocal. There is, therefore, difficulty in adapting to build friendships.

Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Individuals with autism may:

• Exhibit repetitive movements or speech patterns
• Maintain inflexible routines
• Have interests that are so intense and profound that they appear abnormal in their intensity
• Show exaggerated responses to specific sensory stimuli.

The term "spectrum" in autism means that the severity and the age at which symptoms appear can vary greatly. What does "severity" mean? Imagine having a stomach ache. If it's just a mild discomfort, it might go away with a cup of tea. But if you experience sharp pains, you need medication. The severity level of a disorder is related to the type of support individuals require. In autism, there are three levels:

• Level 1: Requires support
• Level 2: Requires significant support
• Level 3: Requires very substantial support.

Sources:
- American Psychiatric Association (2013) - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).
- Bernhill, J. W. (2014) - DSM-5 Clinical Cases.

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