The Characteristics Of Autism And Asperger's Syndrome

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The most recent 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual categorizes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as a pervasive developmental disorder (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013.) The term “spectrum” indicates that there are several disorders under the general umbrella of ASD that vary by severity or the amount of support needed. Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome are two disorders on opposite ends of the continuum. Autism is more severe and presents with restricted, repetitive behavior and echolalia, whereas individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome are more subtly impaired in their social skills, with seemingly neurotypical language skills. It is a common saying in the special needs community that “if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” Because ASD presents differently in almost every case, I will discuss the ASD population as a general whole and include details that may or may not hold true for every individual on the spectrum.
The characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder present with remarkable heterogeneity; however, the core features of ASD include (a) impairments in social communication,
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The earlier the intervention, the greater chance the child has of success and independence later in life. Individuals with ASD qualify for special education services under the rights provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) through age 21. IDEA entitles individuals with disabilities to “free and appropriate public education” with due-process safeguards, non-discriminatory identification, and a zero-reject policy (Heward.) To encourage integration, IDEA also grants individuals the right to be educated in the least restrictive environment possible for their disability and the right to be involved in making decisions regarding their needs and services

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