An overview of Autism in children
Autism: An Overview of Autism in Children What is Autism? Autism spectrum disorder is defined as a lifelong deficiency in the early stage of development that is manifested in deficiencies in social communication and interaction, limited, repetitive behavior patterns, obsessions and interest or activities ( American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Historical and contemporary overview An American Psychiatrist by the name of Leo Kanner identified autism in 1943. The symptoms that were displayed by the children with autism during that era were thought to be caused by lack of affection from the mother. Historically, Autism Spectrum Disorder was called childhood schizophrenia, infantile psychosis and infantile autism. During the 1980’s, there was an update to the DSMIII which lead researchers to second guess their previous hypothesis about autism. They no longer looked at autism from a psychodynamic perspective , but a biological p...