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Psychologist Bruno Bettelheim believed that autism was linked to early childhood trauma, and his work was highly influential for decades both in the medical and popular spheres. In his discredited theory, he blamed the mothers of individuals with autism for having caused their child's condition through the withholding of affection. [ 180 ]
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or simply autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in early childhood, persists throughout adulthood, and is characterized by difficulties in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior. [1]
Societal and cultural aspects of autism or sociology of autism [1] come into play with recognition of autism, approaches to its support services and therapies, and how autism affects the definition of personhood. [2] The autistic community is divided primarily into two camps: the autism rights movement and the pathology paradigm.
Although linked with early childhood, the symptoms can appear later as well. Symptoms can be detected before the age of two and experienced practitioners can give a reliable diagnosis by that age. However, official diagnosis may not occur until much older, even well into adulthood.
Classic autism, also known as childhood autism, autistic disorder, or Kanner's syndrome, is a formerly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder 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.
The charitable focus of the NCSA is the large fraction of people with autism who, whether due solely to autism or due to autism in combination with other disabilities, require continuous supervision and significant support. They often have intellectual disability (30% [3]), are nonverbal, engage in self-injury, or are aggressive.
There are some who believe that regressive autism is simply early-onset autism which was recognized at a later date. Researchers have conducted studies to determine whether regressive autism is a distinct subset of ASD, but the results of these studies have contradicted one another. [15]
Early intervention in nonspeaking autism emphasizes the critical role of language acquisition before the age of five in predicting positive developmental outcomes; acquiring language before age five is a good indicator of positive child development, that early language development is crucial to educational achievement, employment, independence during adulthood, and social relationships. [2]