Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to Autism Spectrum Disorder as discussed in the lecture notes.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A developmental disorder characterized by varying degrees of impaired social interaction, communication difficulties, and restricted and repetitive behaviors.

Prevalence

The frequency or proportion of instances of a particular phenomenon, in this case, the incidence of ASD diagnoses among children.

Epidemiological Research

The study of how often diseases occur in different groups of people and why.

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)

A federal law that ensures students with disabilities are provided free appropriate public education that meets their unique needs.

Diagnostic Criteria

A set of guidelines used to identify and classify a medical condition, including ASD.

Comorbid

The presence of one or more additional conditions co-occurring with a primary condition, such as ASD.

DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition)

The manual used by clinicians and researchers to diagnose and classify mental disorders, including ASD.

Social Triad of Impairments

The three main areas affected by ASD: impaired social interactions, communication deficits, and restricted/repetitive behaviors.

Gender Gap in ASD Diagnosis

The disparity where boys are diagnosed with ASD significantly more often than girls.

Functional Severity Rating

A classification system in DSM-5 that rates the level of support an individual with ASD requires based on social communication and behavior.