Where to begin? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is surrounded by numerous controversies and arguments amongst health professionals and parents alike. As such, even making a diagnosis can be very challenging. Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) encompass a broad range of conditions, characterized by few social skills, repetitive behavior, challenges in speech development, and nonverbal communication disabilities. These include childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDDNOS) and Asperger syndrome. The condition largely remains a mysterious problem since its causes are not well defined and it is surrounded by controversy. The controversy applies not only in relation to the treatment of autism, but also whether it should be considered a disorder in the first place. In the early 1990s autism was classified as a rare and severe form of schizophrenia. Before then autism was
described as a developmental rather than a mental illness. In 1994 Asperger syndrome was added to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Almost immediately, individuals with a high IQ and good verbal skills were being diagnosed as having an ‘autism spectrum disorder’. Today people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are very diverse, many are brilliant and accomplished, but some are severely challenged. Therefore, while some people regard autism as a form of ‘neurological difference’ that can lead to extraordinary insights, others regard it as a disorder that impairs a person’s ability to function in society and should thus be treated—or ideally, cured. To add to the complexity, autism’s diagnostic criteria have changed over the course of the last 20 years. Psychiatrists usually diagnose using either CARS (Childhood Autism Rating Scale) or ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule), or ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised). However, these assessments are solely based on
© Dr. Rath Health Foundation 5
