Behavioural, biopsychosocial, and cognitive models of autism spectrum disorders

Lind, Sophie E.; Williams , David M.

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a range of developmental disorders including autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified/atypical autism, each of which is characterized by a triad of impairments in social interaction, communication, and restricted, repetitive behaviours and interests (RRBIs) (American Psychiatric Association, 2000; World Health Organization, 1993). ASD was originally identified and described in 1943 by Kanner, who believed the disorder to be biologically based. However, in the following decades, psychosocial explanations for ASD began to gain influence. Most notably, Bettelheim (1967) attributed the development of ASD as a response to emotionally “cold” parenting. Although this theory was influential for a significant period of time, it has not received empirical support, and it is now widely agreed that ASD is a biologically based disorder. Twin studies have consistently indicated that ASD is a highly heritable disorder (e.g. Bailey et al., 1995; Folstein & Rutter, 1977; Steffenburg, Hellgren, Gillberg, Jakobsen, & Bohman, 1989). Furthermore, although molecular genetic studies have not yet established a set of necessary and sufficient genes that cause the disorder, they have begun to identify a set of genes that are reliably associated with ASD (International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism Consortium, 1998, 2001, 2005).

Citation

Lind, S. E., & Williams, D. M. (2011). Behavioural, biopsychosocial, and cognitive models of autism spectrum disorders. In J. L. Matson, & P. Sturmey (Eds.), International handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders (99-114). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8065-6_7

• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Sep 8, 2010
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Pages: 99-114
• Book Title: International handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders.
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8065-6_7
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1660479