Autism Spectrum Disorder: Defining Dimensions and Subgroups.

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Opal Ousley, Emory University; Tracy Cermak, Marcus Autism Center
• Language: English
• Date: 2014-03-01
• Publisher: Springer (part of Springer Nature): Springer Open Choice Hybrid Journals
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Part of Springer Nature.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40474-013-0003-1
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Current Developmental Disorders Reports
• ISSN: 2196-2987
• Volume: 1
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 20
• End Page: 28
• Grant/Funding Information: This manuscript was supported in part by NIH grants P50MH100023 and R01MH099021; and The Marcus Foundation.
• Keywords: Subtype; Disruptive behavior; Autism; Asperger; Autism spectrum disorder; ICD-11; Depression; Dimension; Kanner; ADHD; Pervasive developmental disorder; Catatonia; DSM-5; Specifier; Anxiety
• Research Categories: Psychology, Developmental

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder associated with the presence of social-communication deficits and restricted and repetitive behaviors. In the latest conceptualization of ASD, these two behavioral dimensions represent the core defining features of ASD, whereas associated dimensions, such as intellectual and language ability, provide a means for describing the ASD heterogeneity. In addition, the characterization of ASD subgroups, defined by the presence of known medical, genetic, or other psychiatric disorders, furthers our understanding of ASD heterogeneity. This paper reviews the history of autism, describes its core defining features, and provides an overview of the clinically and etiologically relevant subgroups that add to the complexity of this condition.