Describing Function in ASD: Using the DSM-5 and Other Methods to Improve Precision

Bal, Vanessa H.; Farmer, Cristan; Thurm, Audrey

doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3204-3

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…12.The distinction between “high” and “low” functioning is not clear in the autism literature, and these terms should be replaced with more precise ones (Bal et al 2017). Additionally, we consider this terminology offensive because of the negative and uninformed inferences that tend to be made about individuals referred to as “low-functioning.”…”

Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Being versus appearing socially uninterested: Challenging assumptions about social motivation in autism

2018

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Progress in psychological science can be limited by a number of factors, not least of which are the starting assumptions of scientists themselves. We believe that some influential accounts of autism rest on a questionable assumption that many of its behavioral characteristics indicate a lack of social interest-an assumption that is flatly contradicted by the testimony of many autistic people themselves. In this paper, we challenge this assumption by describing alternative explanations for four such behaviors: (a) low levels of eye contact, (b) infrequent pointing, (c) motor stereotypies, and (d) echolalia. The assumption that autistic people's unusual behaviors indicate diminished social motivation has had profound and often negative effects on the ways they are studied and treated. We argue that understanding and supporting autistic individuals will require interrogating this assumption, taking autistic testimony seriously, considering alternative explanations for unusual behaviors, and investigating unconventional-even idiosyncratic-ways that autistic individuals may express their social interest. These steps are crucial, we believe, for creating a more accurate, humane, and useful science of autism.

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Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Being versus appearing socially uninterested: Challenging assumptions about social motivation in autism

2018

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“…12. The distinction between "high" and "low" functioning is not clear in the autism literature, and these terms should be replaced with more precise ones (Bal et al 2017). Additionally, we consider this terminology offensive because of the negative and uninformed inferences that tend to be made about individuals referred to as "low-functioning."…”

Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Being misunderstood in autism: The role of motor disruption in expressive communication, implications for satisfying social relations

et al. 2019

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Jaswal & Akhtar's outstanding target article identifies the necessary social nature of the human mind, even in autism. We agree with the authors and present significant contributory origins of this autistic isolation in disruption of purposeful movement made social from infancy. Timing differences in expression can be misunderstood in embodied engagement, and social intention misread. Sensitive relations can repair this.

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“…Researchers have begun to recognize the importance of expanding the focus of investigation beyond autism symptoms and deficits to include variables potentially associated with individual outcomes (Georgiades & Kasari, 2018; Henninger & Taylor, 2012). One outcome of particular interest and relevance to individuals with ASD and their families is the development of day-to-day adaptive functioning skills (Bal et al, 2017; Szatmari et al, 2015). Studies suggest that adaptive functioning in children with ASD – which includes communication, daily living and socialization skills – are influenced by factors such as access to early diagnosis and intervention (MacDonald et al, 2014; Reichow et al, 2012; Smith, 1999), cognitive functioning (Farley et al, 2009), language development (Bennett et al, 2015) and symptom severity (Gotham et al, 2012; Szatmari et al, 2015).…”

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confidence: 99%

Temperament influences the relationship between symptom severity and adaptive functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder

Lee

Duku

Zwaigenbaum

et al. 2020

Autism

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Temperament is a construct that is relatively stable over time but varies between individuals. Research suggests that children with autism spectrum disorder have a ‘reactive’ temperament profile when compared to peers with or without disabilities. However, our understanding of how temperament varies within children with autism and how it relates to child symptoms and outcomes is limited. This study aimed to (a) explore the variation of individual temperament traits within a sample of school-aged children with autism to determine whether subgroups of children with similar trait profiles emerge and (b) examine whether temperament influences the relationship between autism symptoms and adaptive functioning outcomes. Results revealed that children with autism can be classified empirically into two distinct profiles – ‘Even’ and ‘Reactive’ temperaments. Correlational and hierarchical regression analyses indicated that both temperament profiles and baseline symptom severity predicted adaptive functioning outcomes 1 year later. There was a significant interaction between temperament and symptom severity, suggesting temperament can influence the impact of increasing symptom severity on adaptive functioning skills in children with autism. Study findings highlight the importance of considering temperament in understanding the individual differences that influence the development of daily functioning and developmental outcomes in children with autism. Lay Abstract Temperament is often thought of as behavioural traits that are relatively stable over time but can vary between individuals. Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are often characterized as having ‘reactive’ and ‘negative’ temperaments when compared to same-aged peers with or without disabilities, which can negatively impact the development of adaptive functioning skills but little is known about variations of temperament between individual children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This study aimed to (a) explore the variation of individual temperament traits within a sample of school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder to determine whether subgroups with similar trait profiles emerge and (b) examine whether temperament influences the relationship between autism symptoms and adaptive functioning outcomes. Results from our dataset suggest that children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder fit under two profiles: ‘even’ and ‘reactive’. Furthermore, our analysis shows that temperament can influence the impact of increasing symptom severity on adaptive functioning skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Study findings highlight the importance of considering temperament when trying to understand the individual differences that influence the development of functioning and developmental outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder.

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Describing Function in ASD: Using the DSM-5 and Other Methods to Improve Precision

Cited by 14 publications

References 20 publications

Being versus appearing socially uninterested: Challenging assumptions about social motivation in autism

Being versus appearing socially uninterested: Challenging assumptions about social motivation in autism

Being misunderstood in autism: The role of motor disruption in expressive communication, implications for satisfying social relations

Temperament influences the relationship between symptom severity and adaptive functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder

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