ASD meaning in Medical ?
Answer: What is Autism Spectrum Disorders mean?
The autism spectrum or autistic spectrum encompasses a range of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism and Asperger syndrome, generally known as autism spectrum disorders or autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Individuals on the autistic spectrum typically experience difficulties with social communication and interaction and may also exhibit restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Symptoms are typically recognized between one and two years of age in boys. However, many children are not diagnosed until they are older. It is also common for diagnosis to be received as an adolescent or as an adult. The term "spectrum" refers to the variation in the type and severity of symptoms. Those in the mild range are typically able to function independently, with some difficulties in their daily lives, while those with moderate to severe symptoms may require more substantial support in their daily lives. Long-term problems may include difficulties in daily living such as managing schedules, hypersensitivities, creating and keeping relationships, and maintaining jobs.
The cause of autism spectrum conditions is uncertain. Risk factors include having an older parent, a family history of autism, and certain genetic conditions. It is estimated that between 64% and 91% of risk is due to family history. Diagnosis is based on symptoms. In 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version 5 (DSM-5) replaced the previous subgroups of autistic disorder, Asperger disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and childhood disintegrative disorder with the single term "autism spectrum disorder".
Support efforts are individualized and typically include learning social, behavioral, and/or other coping skills. Evidence to support the use of medication is not strong. Medication may be used to treat conditions such as depression or anxiety that can be triggered by the stress of feeling and being treated as different, but there is no “cure” for autism as the brain structures involved develop in utero and cannot be changed.
An estimated 1% of the population (62.2 million globally) are on the autism spectrum as of 2015. As of 2016, the prevalence of autism among children had increased to 1.85% (1 in 54 children). In the United States it is estimated to affect more than 2% of children (about 1.5 million) as of 2016. Males are diagnosed four times more often than females. This is possibly due to the fact that early studies on autism used male participants.
The Neurodiversity movement promotes the concept of neurodiversity, which views autism as a natural variation of the brain rather than a disorder to be cured. However, the belief of autism spectrum inherently not being a disability, as well as the anti-cure/treatment stance for people affected by ASD, can be seen as controversial, divisive, and contentious among some ASD individuals, families of ASD people, and within various autism and scientific communities, with certain autism advocates being openly critical of the movement.
reference
Comments(0)
Ever curious about what that abbreviation stands for? fullforms has got them all listed out for you to explore. Simply,Choose a subject/topic and get started on a self-paced learning journey in a world of fullforms.