PSY 4105 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Autism Spectrum, Leo Kanner, Neurodevelopmental Disorder

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 4105
• Professor: Guergana Mileva

Document Summary

A complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by abnormalities in societal behaviour, language and communication skills, and unusual behaviours and interest. Comed from the greek word for self " because they are lost in their own little. Identifies in 1943 in a sample of 11 people world. Autism is a biological based lifelong neurodevelopmental disability present in the first few years of life. Defining features: impairment in social interaction, impairments in communication, restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests, and activities. Symptoms may be masked via coping mechanisms. Not caused by intellectual disability or developmental delay. Level 3 - requiring very substantial support. Severe deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills cause severe impairments in functioning, very limited initiation of social interactions and minimal response to social overtures from others. Preoccupations, fixed rituals and/or repetitive behaviours markedly interfere with functioning in all spheres. Marked distress when rituals and routines are interrupted, very difficult to redirect to it quickly.