Autism spectrum disorder

During the days when the term ‘idiot’ was the medical reference to a mild to moderate intellectual disability, imbecile referring to a more profound mental disability, the first cases of autism were believed to have been diagnosed. Medical terms became obsolete in the 1950’s when they began to be used offensively.
Autism referred to what was described as a social and emotional disorder previously being associated with mental illness. The first diagnosed case is said to have been of a boy who was reported to have been institutionalised at the age of three. Believed to have been left isolated during his incapacitation, his parents took him home after a year or so, against medical advice. Dr Leo Kanner, a renowned child psychiatrist was consulted. Detailed notes from the parents described the boy as, “happiest when left alone”, “living inside himself” and “oblivious to things around him”.
The young boy was observed to have a deft use of language, echolalia i.e. he repeated words and phrases spoken to him; and referred to himself in the third person. The boy was reported to have communicated his own desires by attributing them to others. Thought to be symptoms of autism, another neurological condition or a developmental symptom. The psychiatrist’s observations were detailed as autistic disturbances of affective contact. Ten more diagoses followed.
So called Applied behaviour analysis is described as specialised therapy focusing on increasing positive behaviours and decreasing negative ones. Earning a masters degree in Applied behaviour analysis is recommended for practitioners, which is also available online.
Current texts regarding children with autistism spectrum disorder describe restrictive and rigid behaviour. Some described as obsessive in their activities and interests. Symptoms may include repetitive body movements and attachments to objects rather than people.
Some problems were documented in relation to social interaction. For example, problems with empathising – or appreciating someone else’s position, poor communication and so called inflexible behaviour. Some children are described as high functioning.
Three common forms of Autism Spectrum Disorder are Autistic disorder, that is classic autism; Asperger’s syndrome, a reportedly milder a.s.d. and Pervasive developmental disorder which is believed to relate to Asperger’s, and genetic conditions resulting in similar symptoms. Parents are advised to focus on treating the symptoms, be imaginative, rather than seeking a diagnosis.