Knowra Autism spectrum disorder Autism spectrum disorder Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent social-communication differences and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior. Its characteristics, support needs, and effects vary widely among autistic people.
Social communication : The use and interpretation of verbal and nonverbal signals to exchange information and build relationships. Differences in reciprocal communication and social interaction are central diagnostic features.
Autism diagnosis : The clinical process of determining whether a person meets criteria for autism spectrum disorder. Diagnosis draws on developmental history and observed characteristics rather than a single laboratory test.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder : A neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that impair functioning. It has distinct diagnostic criteria but commonly co-occurs with autism and can share overlapping traits.
Temple Grandin : An American professor and author who writes about autism and animal behavior. Her public accounts have influenced discussions of autistic perception and practical support.
Heritability of autism : The proportion of variation in a population's autism liability associated with genetic differences in a particular environment. Genetic influence is substantial, but heritability does not predict an individual's outcome or exclude environmental factors.
Restricted and repetitive behaviors : Repetitive actions, intense interests, insistence on sameness, or distinctive sensory responses. This diagnostic domain encompasses repetitive patterns, routines, interests, and sensory characteristics.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders : A classification manual published by the American Psychiatric Association for diagnosing mental disorders. Its current criteria define autism through social-communication differences and restricted or repetitive patterns.
Social (pragmatic) communication disorder : A communication disorder involving persistent difficulty using verbal and nonverbal communication socially. It resembles autism in social communication but excludes restricted or repetitive behavior patterns.
Judy Singer : An Australian sociologist who coined the term neurodiversity in the late 1990s. Her work helped establish a framework influential in autistic advocacy.
Autism prevalence : The proportion of a population identified as autistic during a defined period or at a given time. Estimates change with diagnostic criteria, awareness, and access to assessment.
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