Classic autism

This article is about the condition and diagnosis. For autism spectrum conditions not associated with a broader medical condition, see non-syndromic autism.
Autism
Major brain structures implicated in autism
SpecialtyPsychiatry, pediatrics, occupational medicine
SymptomsTrouble with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and presence of restricted interests and repetitive behavior[1]
ComplicationsSocial isolation, employment problems, stress, self-harm, suicide
Usual onsetBy age two or three
DurationLong-term
CausesGenetic and environmental factors[2]
Diagnostic methodBased on behavior and developmental history
Differential diagnosisReactive attachment disorder, intellectual disability, schizophrenia[3]
TreatmentOccupational therapy, speech therapy, psychotropic medication[4][5]
MedicationAntipsychotics, antidepressants, stimulants (associated symptoms)[6]
Frequency24.8 million (2015)[7]

Classic autism, also known as childhood autism, autistic disorder, (early) infantile autism, infantile psychosis, Kanner's autism, Kanner's syndrome, or (formerly) just autism, is a neurodevelopmental condition first described by Leo Kanner in 1943. It is characterized by atypical and impaired development in social interaction and communication as well as restricted, repetitive behaviors, activities, and interests. These symptoms first appear in early childhood and persist throughout life.

It was last recognized as a diagnosis in the DSM-IV and ICD-10, and has been superseded by autism spectrum disorder in the DSM-5 (2013) and ICD-11 (2022). Globally, classic autism was estimated to affect 24.8 million people as of 2015.[7]

Autism is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors,[2] with genetic factors thought to heavily predominate.[8] Controversies surrounded other proposed environmental causes; for example, the vaccine hypothesis, which although disproved, continues to hold sway in certain communities.[9][10]

After DSM-5/ICD-11 the term "autism" has become more commonly used in reference to the autism spectrum more broadly.[11][12][13]

  1. ^ Landa RJ (March 2008). "Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders in the first 3 years of life". Nature Clinical Practice. Neurology. 4 (3): 138–147. doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0731. PMID 18253102.
  2. ^ a b Chaste P, Leboyer M (September 2012). "Autism risk factors: genes, environment, and gene-environment interactions". Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 14 (3): 281–292. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2012.14.3/pchaste. PMC 3513682. PMID 23226953.
  3. ^ Corcoran J, Walsh J (9 February 2006). Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis in Social Work Practice. Oxford University Press, New York. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-19-516830-3. LCCN 2005027740. OCLC 466433183.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference CCD2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Sukhodolsky DG, Bloch MH, Panza KE, Reichow B (November 2013). "Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety in children with high-functioning autism: a meta-analysis". Pediatrics. 132 (5): e1341–e1350. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-1193. PMC 3813396. PMID 24167175.
  6. ^ Ji N, Findling RL (March 2015). "An update on pharmacotherapy for autism spectrum disorder in children and adolescents". Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 28 (2): 91–101. doi:10.1097/YCO.0000000000000132. PMID 25602248. S2CID 206141453.
  7. ^ a b Vos, Theo; et al. (GBD 2015 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators) (October 2016). "Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015". Lancet. 388 (10053): 1545–1602. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31678-6. PMC 5055577. PMID 27733282.
  8. ^ Tick B, Bolton P, Happé F, Rutter M, Rijsdijk F (May 2016). "Heritability of autism spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis of twin studies". Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines. 57 (5): 585–595. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12499. PMC 4996332. PMID 26709141.
  9. ^ Taylor LE, Swerdfeger AL, Eslick GD (June 2014). "Vaccines are not associated with autism: an evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies". Vaccine. 32 (29): 3623–3629. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.04.085. PMID 24814559.
  10. ^ Rutter M (January 2005). "Incidence of autism spectrum disorders: changes over time and their meaning". Acta Paediatrica. 94 (1): 2–15. doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2005.tb01779.x. PMID 15858952. S2CID 79259285.
  11. ^ Keating, Connor Tom; Hickman, Lydia; Leung, Joan; Monk, Ruth; Montgomery, Alicia; Heath, Hannah; Sowden, Sophie (2022-12-06). "Autism-related language preferences of English -speaking individuals across the globe: A mixed methods investigation". Autism Research. 16 (2): 406–428. doi:10.1002/aur.2864. hdl:2292/68400. ISSN 1939-3792. PMC 10946540. PMID 36474364. S2CID 254429317.
  12. ^ "Autism". National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. UK. Archived from the original on 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  13. ^ Fletcher-Watson S (2019). Autism: a new introduction to psychological theory and current debates. Francesca Happé ([New edition; Updated edition] ed.). Abingdon, Oxon. ISBN 978-1-315-10169-9. OCLC 1073035060.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)