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Chapter 15 - Autism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2024

By
Dolly Sud ,
Danielle Adams ,
Rohit Shankar  and
Samuel Tromans
Edited by
David M. L. Branford ,
Satheesh K. Gangadharan ,
Mary Barrett  and
Regi T. Alexander
David M. L. Branford
Affiliation:
Independent Pharmacy Consultant
Satheesh K. Gangadharan
Affiliation:
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Mary Barrett
Affiliation:
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Regi T. Alexander
Affiliation:
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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Summary

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a group of severe developmental and neuropsychiatric disorders usually apparent by the age of three. Autism, referred to as autism spectrum disorder in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by persistent deficits in social interaction and social communication, as well as a range of restricted, repetitive behaviours (World Health Organization 2018). The onset of autism is in the developmental period (0–18 years of age), though for some autistic persons the symptoms may manifest later in life, at a time of increased social demands (World Health Organization 2018). In addition to the aforementioned core autistic features, many autistic people have associated symptoms, including hypo- or hypersensitivities to sensory stimuli, difficulties describing their emotional state (alexithymia), and problems with gross motor co-ordination The chapter will discuss the interface between autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability and the potential management of the disorder. It will also cover the gender variations in presentation.

Keywords

challenging behaviourmental illnessrisperidonearipiprazolesocial interactionsocial communicationrestrictedrepetitive behavioursfluoxetine
Type
Chapter
Information
The Frith Prescribing Guidelines for People with Intellectual Disability , pp. 209 - 222
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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References

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