Educational Psychology
- Submitted by: tinalou81
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- Category: Science
- Date Submitted: 07/14/2015 11:56 AM
- Pages: 9
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The focus of this essay is to critically discuss the specialist intervention programmes for individuals labelled with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). More specifically what is so special, if anything at all about the treatment interventions programmes for ASD? Primarily this essay will define and briefly discuss ASD with focus on presenting the three core deficits typically observed in ASD, current prevalence figures for the United Kingdom (UK) and finally the recent changes in the diagnostic criteria for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a biological basis (Newschaffer et al., 2007). ASD is not a single condition per se it is a spectrum of disorders that can range from an individual who is verbally mute to one that is academically gifted. The differences between the individuals on the spectrum are nearly as vast as the differences with a non-autistic individual. All disorders under the ASD umbrella involve impairments in reciprocal social interaction skills, with the level of severity dependent upon cognitive abilities, interests and skills of the individual. Recent prevalence figures for the United Kingdom (UK) are estimated at 1 in 100 people has autism spectrum disorder. This figure is based on information obtained through epidemiological surveys therefore are only a rough estimate of the true figure. Recent changes in the definitions and diagnosis criteria’s in the neurodevelopment disorders category listed in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5 (DSM5). Such changes were made in light of new and updated research, to make it easier for medical professionals to make an early diagnosis with the forethought that the earlier an individual with ASD starts on an intervention program will enhance their functioning and quality of life. However, making a diagnosis of ASD remains difficult as there is currently no single reliable and valid test to confirm ASD, the instruments currently available to aid in...
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a biological basis (Newschaffer et al., 2007). ASD is not a single condition per se it is a spectrum of disorders that can range from an individual who is verbally mute to one that is academically gifted. The differences between the individuals on the spectrum are nearly as vast as the differences with a non-autistic individual. All disorders under the ASD umbrella involve impairments in reciprocal social interaction skills, with the level of severity dependent upon cognitive abilities, interests and skills of the individual. Recent prevalence figures for the United Kingdom (UK) are estimated at 1 in 100 people has autism spectrum disorder. This figure is based on information obtained through epidemiological surveys therefore are only a rough estimate of the true figure. Recent changes in the definitions and diagnosis criteria’s in the neurodevelopment disorders category listed in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5 (DSM5). Such changes were made in light of new and updated research, to make it easier for medical professionals to make an early diagnosis with the forethought that the earlier an individual with ASD starts on an intervention program will enhance their functioning and quality of life. However, making a diagnosis of ASD remains difficult as there is currently no single reliable and valid test to confirm ASD, the instruments currently available to aid in...