Autism Spectrum Disorder

An Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social communication, sensory processing, and behavioral patterns with varying degrees of support needs.

• AKA: ASD, Autistic Spectrum Condition, Autism Spectrum, Autism Spectrum Condition.
• Context:
  • It can typically involve Social Communication Differences with nonverbal communication challenges.
  • It can typically manifest Repetitive Behavior Patterns through stimming behaviors.
  • It can often feature Sensory Processing Differences via hyper- or hyposensitivity.
  • It can often demonstrate Special Interest Focus using intense knowledge acquisition.
  • It can support Pattern Recognition Strengths through systematic thinking.
  • It can enable Detail-Oriented Processing via bottom-up cognition.
  • It can facilitate Monotropic Focus using single-channel attention.
  • It can range from being a Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder to being a Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder, depending on its support requirement.
  • It can range from being an Early-Diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder to being a Late-Diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder, depending on its identification timing.
  • It can range from being a Non-Speaking Autism Spectrum Disorder to being a Verbal Autism Spectrum Disorder, depending on its communication mode.
  • It can range from being an Autism-Only Spectrum Disorder to being an Autism with Comorbidities Spectrum Disorder, depending on its co-occurring conditions.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Autism Presentation Profiles, such as:
    • High-Functioning Autism - minimal support needs.
    • Asperger Syndrome - historical diagnosis, now part of ASD.
    • PDD-NOS - pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.
  • Autism with Comorbid Conditions, such as:
    • Autism with ADHD - Dave Plummer's presentation.
    • Autism with Anxiety Disorder - common co-occurrence.
    • Autism with Intellectual Disability - support-intensive profile.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Social Anxiety Disorder, which lacks repetitive behaviors and sensory differences.
  • ADHD Without Autism, which has different attention patterns.
  • Intellectual Disability Without Autism, which lacks autism-specific traits.
  • Schizoid Personality Disorder, which has different social patterns.
• See: Neurodevelopmental Condition, ADHD Condition, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Monotropism Theory, Sensory Processing Disorder, Executive Function, Theory of Mind, Dave Plummer, Neurodiversity.

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