Autism spectrum disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterised by impairments in social communication and behaviour. This chapter shows that motor impairment, sleep disorder and epilepsy are common complications in children with ASD. Awareness of the multi-dimensional, multi-brain system conceptualization of ASD has seen intervention frameworks move away from the notion of 'curing ASD' toward interventions that enable individuals with ASD to adjust to their environment and delivering targeted interventions tailored to each individual's unique clinical presentation and their family's needs and preferences. Social frameworks and intervention approaches have also made us aware that adjustment of the environment and our acceptance of difference can maximise participation for individuals with ASD. In general, the cognitive profile of ASD tends to be characterised by uneven verbal and non-verbal profiles, with intact, or superior, ability for tasks requiring a high degree of attention to detail, such as visuospatial processing, matrix reasoning and block design tasks.