Open AccessCE: From the CDC: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder
Author(s) -
Deborah Christensen,
Jennifer Zubler
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the american journal of nursing/american journal of nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1538-7488
pISSN - 0002-936X
DOI - 10.1097/01.naj.0000718628.09065.1b
Subject(s) - autism spectrum disorder , autism , neurodevelopmental disorder , social communication , psychology , early childhood , intellectual disability , set (abstract data type) , autistic spectrum disorder , developmental psychology , broad spectrum , psychiatry , clinical psychology , chemistry , computer science , combinatorial chemistry , programming language
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition characterized by impaired social communication as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors. It is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder because it is associated with neurologic changes that may begin in prenatal or early postnatal life, alters the typical pattern of child development, and produces chronic signs and symptoms that usually manifest in early childhood and have potential long-term consequences. In past decades, autism was conceptualized as a strictly defined set of behaviors, usually accompanied by intellectual impairment. Today, it is recognized as a spectrum, ranging from mild to severe, in which behaviors vary substantially and the majority of children who fall on the spectrum have average to above average intellectual ability. Here, the authors discuss the risk factors for ASD, its epidemiology, common concurrent conditions, evaluation, diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes.