Autism: Definition and classification. Kanner identified Autism in the USA (1943) Asperger identified it in Austria (1944). ‘Autos’ is Greek for ‘self’. Kanner used it to describe individuals have an ‘aloneness’, living in an isolated asocial state. Limited in language and obsessive about the need for sameness. Need to have transition periods! Asperger used the term Autism. Are Autism and Aspergers distinct disorders?

Autism Spectrum Wing (1976) identified a triad of impairments; Social relationships/behaviour, language/communication, and stereotyped/repetitive behaviour. Wing and Gould found that learning disabilities (LDs) (IQ below 70) were associated with the triad. It is estimated that 20 children per 10,000 have Autism Spectrum (AS) disorders and LDs. ICD-10 & DSM-IV-TR currently include; autism, atypical autism, Asperger’s syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not otherwise specified!

Criteria for diagnosing autism The criteria below is based on the DSM-IV-TR Manuel. Using Gross pg 690 (box 40.3) write a scenario/story of a child at school. What behaviours would they exhibit? Put as much detail as you can in. Qualitative impairments in social interaction: Qualitative impairments in communication: Repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour:

Autism and Gender Mitchell (1997) The incidence of Autism is one to two per 1000 live births. Boys outnumber girls by four or five to one. 6% of siblings of children with autism will also have problems with all three kinds of impairment % with two or three. A further 20% in one area. If one monozygotic twin has autism, there’s a 60% chance the other twin will have problems in all three. For Dyzygotic twins, the chances are the same as ordinary siblings.

Autism and Down’s syndrome Down’s is usually evident at birth and is detected before (tests & babies facial appearance). Mitchell (1997) identifies important similarities and differences; Down’s is classified as a chromosome disorder (extra 21 st chromosome). Autism is diagnosed on the basis of characteristic behaviours. Neither conditions can be cured. Life expectancy for people with Down’s has increased due to antibiotics and improvements in diet, care and living conditions. LDs are characteristic in Down’s and common in Autism. Down’s individuals do not display uneven giftedness.

Theory of mind (TOM) What do we mean by the term ‘mind-blindness’? (Baron-Cohen, 1990) Premack & Woodruff (1978) originally coined the term ‘Theory of mind’, based on their work with chimps. It’s the ability to ‘read minds’. What areas of their lives would this cause difficulties and how? Write your ideas down to discuss.

Testing the TOM Hypothesis Baron-Cohen et al (1985) replicated the work of Wimmer and Perner (1983) ‘false belief task. This experiment enabled the researchers to test for a ‘Theory of Mind’ in children with Down’s, children with Autism and a control group (‘normal’ children) Homework: To write out the Aims/hypothesis, procedure, findings and a conclusive statement.