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123-492: Parents of autistic children led the drive to raise funds for the cause, anticipating the institute could become the premiere autism research institute in the world. Among the parents behind the institute are Chuck and Sarah Gardner , whose son Chas has been diagnosed with autism. Chuck is a Sacramento area building contractor and co-founder of the institute along with his wife, Sarah, a television anchorwoman for Sacramento (KCRA 3). The institute's largest contribution came from

246-452: A neurodevelopmental disorder , but the autism rights movement (and some researchers) see autistic people as part of humanity's natural neurodiversity . From this point of view, autistic people may also be diagnosed with a disability of some sort, but that disability may be rooted in the systemic structures of a society rather than in the person; thus, proponents argue that autistic people should be accommodated rather than cured. On

369-490: A portmanteau of the words neurological diversity , which had been used as early as 1996 in online spaces such as InLv to describe the growing concept of a natural diversity in humanity's neurological expression. The same year, it was published in Judy Singer 's sociology honors thesis, drawing on discussions on the independent living mailing list that included Blume. Singer has described herself as "likely somewhere on

492-606: A "level" system, which ranks how in need of support the patient is, level 1 being the mildest and level 3 the severest, while the ICD-11 system has two axes, intellectual impairment and language impairment, as these are seen as the most crucial factors. Autism is currently defined as a highly variable neurodevelopmental disorder that is generally thought to cover a broad and deep spectrum , manifesting very differently from one person to another. Some have high support needs, may be nonspeaking , and experience developmental delays; this

615-701: A 2006 analysis found that special education data poorly measured prevalence because so many cases were undiagnosed, and that the 1994–2003 U.S. increase was associated with declines in other diagnostic categories, indicating that diagnostic substitution had occurred in the U.S. overall (though not in California in particular). The current consensus is that the rise in the number of autism cases is largely attributable to changes in diagnostic practices, referral patterns, availability of services, age at diagnosis, and public awareness, though as-yet-unidentified contributing environmental risk factors cannot be ruled out. However,

738-489: A behavioral standard or clinical ideal. Proponents of neurodiversity strive to reconceptualize autism and related conditions in society by acknowledging that neurodiversity does not require a cure, changing the language from the current "condition, disease, disorder, or illness"-based nomenclature, "broadening the understanding of healthy or independent living", acknowledging new types of autonomy, and giving neurodivergent individuals more control over their treatment, including

861-589: A broad variety of people, not just people with neurodevelopmental disorders , such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder , and dyslexia . She further emphasized that it should not be used to exclude people but rather to include them. This term provided activists a way to advocate increased rights and accessibility for non-autistic people who do not have typical neurocognitive functioning. Neurodivergent has been used in multiple ways since Asasumasu's conception, especially to refer specifically to individuals diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders. It

984-438: A broader medical condition or syndrome , representing about 25% of ASD cases. The causes of syndromic autism are often known, and monogenic disorders account for approximately 5% of these cases. Non-syndromic autism, also known as classic or idiopathic autism, represents the majority of cases, and its cause is typically polygenic and unknown. Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it

1107-865: A career path that they feel is attainable for them. Another consideration is the implementation of a universal design approach (UDL) when building learning spaces or communal areas that considers the needs of neurodivergent students. A UDL design incorporates a design that accommodates the needs of all students, including the neurodivergent population. According to an article published in 2023, universities and post-secondary establishments would show more tolerance towards neurodivergent people. A tolerant environment can increase autonomy, leading to kindness and understanding among students. Higher education institutions offer counseling and support services to students. However, neurodivergent students face particular challenges that impair their ability to receive consistent support and care. Additionally, counseling and support services face

1230-660: A combination of factors, including the type of disability, the level of impairment, and the student's access to resources and accommodations. A common difficulty for neurodivergent students is maintaining social relationships, which can give rise to loneliness , anxiety , and depression . There is also the added stress and difficulty of transitioning into higher education, as well as the responsibilities and task management required in college. Many neurodivergent students may find that they need added support. As for academics, neurodivergent students may experience difficulties in learning, executive function , managing peer relationships in

1353-434: A difference, and not a deficit, is developmentally beneficial and "transcend[s] a false dichotomy between celebrating differences and ameliorating deficit". Neurodiversity advocate John Elder Robison argues that the disabilities and strengths conferred by neurological differences may be mutually inseparable. "When 99 neurologically identical people fail to solve a problem, it's often the 1% fellow who's different who holds

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1476-432: A genetic reason why males are diagnosed more often, such as the imprinted brain hypothesis and the extreme male brain theory . Neurotypical The neurodiversity paradigm is a framework for understanding human brain function that recognizes the diversity within sensory processing , motor abilities , social comfort , cognition , and focus as neurobiological differences. This diversity falls on

1599-440: A job position. Stigmas against neurodivergence (especially against autistic individuals) and cognition challenges in social situations can hinder an individual's ability to perform well in a traditional job interview. Organizations such as Specialisterne aim to use neurodivergent employees' particular skills – such as pattern recognition , detection of deviations, attention to detail, analytical thinking , and extended focus – in

1722-407: A lack of funding, personnel, and specialists that can adequately support neurodivergent students. Overall, these services work for some students and not for others. Nachman and colleagues reviewed several articles published by two-year community colleges and found some discrepancies in the way that they perceived and categorized "disabled" students and "non-disabled" students. They found that all of

1845-1004: A lack of social motivation. For example, testimonies from autistic individuals report that avoiding eye contact serves an important function of helping them to concentrate during conversation, and should not be interpreted as expressing social disinterest. The neurodiversity paradigm was developed and embraced first by autistic people , but has been applied to other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental speech disorders , dyslexia , dysgraphia , dyspraxia , dyscalculia , dysnomia , intellectual disability , obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), Tourette syndrome , and sometimes mental illnesses such as schizophrenia , bipolar disorder , schizoaffective disorder , and, somewhat more controversially, personality disorders such as antisocial personality disorder . Neurodiversity advocates who support those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental disorders do not agree in framing medical interventions as

1968-466: A level similar to the purely non-autistic group. The double empathy problem theory implies there is no simple fix that can help each group better empathize with each other. Moreover, attempting to "treat" an autistic person by teaching them to empathize with non-autistic people could generate mental health issues and feelings of inferiority and self-blame. The same risks do not apply when seeking to teach non-autistic people, because their allistic neurology

2091-648: A low demand for coordination that ameliorated many challenges associated with disruptive turns." Autistic interests, and thus conversational topics, seem to be largely driven by an intense interest in specific topics ( monotropism ). Historically, autistic children were said to be delayed in developing a theory of mind , and the empathizing–systemizing theory has argued that while autistic people have compassion ( affective empathy ) for others with similar presentation of symptoms, they have limited, though not necessarily absent, cognitive empathy . This may present as social naïvety, lower than average intuitive perception of

2214-575: A model of social patterns, and develop coping mechanisms, referred to as " masking ", which have recently been found to come with psychological costs and a higher increased risk of suicidality. ASD includes a wide variety of characteristics. Some of these include behavioral characteristics which widely range from slow development of social and learning skills to difficulties creating connections with other people. Autistic people may experience these challenges with forming connections due to anxiety or depression, which they are more likely to experience, and as

2337-923: A neurotypical bias in autism research, which has come to be scrutinized for "dehumanization, objectification, and stigmatization". Recent research has proposed that autistics' lack of readability and a neurotypical lack of effort to interpret atypical signals may cause a negative interaction loop, increasingly driving both groups apart into two distinct groups with different social interaction styles. Differences in verbal communication begin to be noticeable in childhood, as many autistic children develop language skills at an uneven pace. Verbal communication may be delayed or never develop ( nonverbal autism ), while reading ability may be present before school age ( hyperlexia ). Reduced joint attention seem to distinguish autistic from non-autistic infants. Infants may show delayed onset of babbling , unusual gestures, diminished responsiveness, and vocal patterns that are not synchronized with

2460-573: A person can depend on context, and may vary over time. While the DSM and ICD greatly influence each other, there are also differences. For example, Rett syndrome was included in ASD in the DSM-5, but in the ICD-11 it was excluded and placed in the chapter on Developmental Anomalies. The ICD and the DSM change over time, and there has been collaborative work toward a convergence of the two since 1980 (when DSM-III

2583-505: A person's ASD diagnosis did not influence their interest level. Thus, there has been a recent shift to acknowledge that autistic people may simply respond and behave differently than people without ASD. So far, research has identified two unconventional features by which autistic people create shared understanding ( intersubjectivity ): "a generous assumption of common ground that, when understood, led to rapid rapport, and, when not understood, resulted in potentially disruptive utterances; and

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2706-645: A person's ability to understand and connect with others, as well as their adaptability to everyday situations, with its severity and support needs varying widely across the underlying spectrum . For example, some are nonverbal , while others have proficient spoken language. A formal diagnosis of ASD according to either the DSM-5 or the ICD-11 criteria requires not merely the presence of ASD symptoms, but symptoms that cause significant impairment in multiple domains of functioning, in addition to being atypical or excessive for

2829-547: A pervasive feature of the individual's functioning observable in all settings, although they may vary according to social, educational, or other context. Individuals along the spectrum exhibit a full range of intellectual functioning and language abilities. ICD-11 was produced by professionals from 55 countries out of the 90 involved and is the most widely used reference worldwide. The American Psychiatric Association 's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision ( DSM-5-TR ), released in 2022,

2952-628: A result isolate themselves. Other behavioral characteristics include abnormal responses to sensations (such as sights, sounds, touch, taste and smell) and problems keeping a consistent speech rhythm. The latter problem influences social skills, leading to potential problems in understanding for interlocutors. Autistic people's behavioral characteristics typically influence development, language, and social competence. Their behavioral characteristics can be observed as perceptual disturbances, disturbances of development rate, relating, speech and language, and motility. The second core symptom of autism spectrum

3075-423: A set of closely related and overlapping diagnoses such as Asperger syndrome and the syndrome formerly known as Kanner syndrome . This created unclear boundaries between the terms, so for the DSM-5 and ICD-11, a spectrum approach was taken. The new system is also more restrictive, meaning fewer people qualify for diagnosis. The DSM-5 and ICD-11 use different categorization tools to define this spectrum. DSM-5 uses

3198-491: A small effect, and some of which are rare and have a large effect. The most common gene disrupted with large effect rare variants appeared to be CHD8 , but less than 0.5% of autistic people have such a mutation. The gene CHD8 encodes the protein chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 8, which is a chromatin regulator enzyme that is essential during fetal development. CHD8 is an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)–dependent enzyme. The protein contains an Snf2 helicase domain that

3321-412: A spectrum of neurocognitive differences. The neurodiversity paradigm argues that diversity in human cognition is normal and that some conditions generally classified as disorders, such as autism , are differences and disabilities that are not necessarily pathological . Neurotypical individuals are those who fall within the average range of functioning and thinking. The neurodiversity movement started in

3444-399: A steady course without remission (different developmental timelines are described in more detail below). Autistic people may be severely impaired in some respects but average, or even superior, in others. Clinicians consider assessment for ASD when a patient shows: These features are typically assessed with the following, when appropriate: There are many signs associated with autism;

3567-425: A stroke into two categories of self-view: "A 'difference' view—where neurodiversity was seen as a difference incorporating a set of strengths and weaknesses, or a 'medical/deficit' view—where neurodiversity was seen as a disadvantageous medical condition". They found that, although all of the students reported uniformly difficult schooling careers involving exclusion, abuse, and bullying, those who viewed themselves from

3690-461: A study published in 2009 found that the seven- to eight-fold increase in the number children born in California with autism since 1990 cannot be explained by either changes in diagnosis or counting. Published in the January 2009 issue of Epidemiology , results also suggest that research should shift from genetics to the host of chemicals and infectious microbes in the environment that are likely at

3813-448: A substantial fraction of autism cases may be traceable to genetic causes that are highly heritable but not inherited: that is, the mutation that causes the autism is not present in the parental genome. As of 2018 , understanding of genetic risk factors had shifted from a focus on a few alleles to an understanding that genetic involvement in ASD is probably diffuse, depending on a large number of variants, some of which are common and have

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3936-421: A tendency to be associated with sedation and weight gain . Melatonin supplementation has been shown to improve insomnia related to autism. Stimulant therapy may improve mental processing speed when there is comorbid ADHD. Before the DSM-5 (2013) and ICD-11 (2022) diagnostic manuals were adopted, ASD was found under the diagnostic category pervasive developmental disorder . The previous system relied on

4059-537: A trend of increasing prevalence over time. This increasing prevalence has reinforced the myth perpetuated by anti-vaccine activists that autism is caused by vaccines . Boys are also significantly far more frequently diagnosed than girls . There is no cure for autism. Some advocates of autistic people argue that efforts to find a cure are misguided and even harmful. Early intervention services based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) aim to teach children self-care, social and communicative skills. Guidelines from

4182-539: A unique perspective when caring for patients. Some healthcare staff agree that inviting neurodivergent individuals to join patient advisory groups or hiring them as staff are essential steps to acceptance and integration in the workforce. Neurodivergent people's unique strengths can be vital to health system innovation and improvement efforts. One example of the push toward this is the Stanford Neurodiversity Project, in which one of their goals

4305-478: A useful tool for those with difficulty in social situations. By connecting neurodivergent users, media platforms provide " safe spaces " that are helpful in forming relationships. Some media developers have created platforms such as Blossom, which are designed specifically to connect neurodivergent users and families. Social media also allows users to spread awareness about the neurodiversity movement . Increasing awareness about disorders has been shown to increase

4428-511: A way to " cure " or "fix" these individuals. Rather, they promote support systems such as inclusion-focused services, accommodations, communication and assistive technologies, occupational training, and independent living support. The intention is for individuals to receive support that honors human diversity and feel that they are able to freely express themselves. Other forms of treatment may cause them to feel as though they are being coerced or forced to adapt to social norms , or to conform to

4551-412: Is a neologism widely used in the neurodiversity movement as a label for anyone who has a neurotype that fits into the norm of thinking patterns. Thus, the term "neurotypical" includes anyone who is not autistic , and does not have ADHD , dyslexia , anxiety, or any other condition that would be considered neurodivergent. The term has been adopted by both the neurodiversity movement and some members of

4674-726: Is a pattern of restricted and repetitive behaviors, activities, and interests. In order to be diagnosed with ASD under the DSM-5-TR, a person must have at least two of the following behaviors: Autistic people can display many forms of repetitive or restricted behavior, which the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) categorizes as follows. Self-injurious behaviors are relatively common in autistic people, and can include head-banging, self-cutting, self-biting, and hair-pulling. Some of these can result in serious injury or death. Following are theories about

4797-734: Is acquired during childhood. Autistic people display atypical nonverbal behaviors or show differences in nonverbal communication . They may make infrequent eye contact , even when called by name, or avoid it altogether. This may be due to the high amount of sensory input received when making eye contact. Autistic people often recognize fewer emotions and their meaning from others' facial expressions, and may not respond with facial expressions expected by their non-autistic peers. Temple Grandin , an autistic woman involved in autism activism, described her inability to understand neurotypicals ' social communication as leaving her feeling "like an anthropologist on Mars". Autistic people struggle to understand

4920-424: Is also used as an umbrella term used to describe people with atypical mental and behavioral traits, such as mood , anxiety , dissociative , psychotic , personality , and eating disorders . Under the neurodiversity framework, these conditions are often referred to as "neurodivergencies", in an effort to move away from the medical model of disability (sometimes referred to in the neurodiversity community as

5043-661: Is bidirectional, research on communication difficulties has since also begun to study non-autistic behavior, with researcher Catherine Crompton writing in 2020 that non-autistic people "struggle to identify autistic mental states, identify autistic facial expressions, overestimate autistic egocentricity, and are less willing to socially interact with autistic people. Thus, although non-autistic people are generally characterised as socially skilled, these skills may not be functional, or effectively applied, when interacting with autistic people." Any previously observed communication deficits of autistic people may thus have been constructed through

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5166-590: Is heritable. After an older child is diagnosed with ASD, 7% to 20% of subsequent children are likely to be as well. If parents have one autistic child, they have a 2% to 8% chance of having a second child who is autistic. If the autistic child is an identical twin, the other will be affected 36% to 95% of the time. A fraternal twin is affected up to 31% of the time. The large number of autistic people with unaffected family members may result from spontaneous structural variation , such as deletions , duplications or inversions in genetic material during meiosis . Hence,

5289-420: Is lowered activity in the fusiform face area of the brain, which is associated with impaired perception of people versus objects. It has been proposed to classify autism using genetics as well as behavior. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be classified into two categories: "syndromic autism" and "non-syndromic autism". Syndromic autism refers to cases where ASD is one of the characteristics associated with

5412-522: Is more likely with other co-existing diagnoses. Others have relatively low support needs; they may have more typical speech-language and intellectual skills but atypical social/conversation skills, narrowly focused interests , and wordy, pedantic communication. They may still require significant support in some areas of their lives. The spectrum model should not be understood as a continuum running from mild to severe, but instead means that autism can present very differently in each person. How it presents in

5535-521: Is neurodivergence-informed therapy, which reframes dysfunction as interconnectedness among society rather than strictly individual, advocating for acceptance and pride in the neurodiversity community, and the push for therapists to pursue humility regarding the knowledge and education associated with individuals who identify as neurodivergent. Similarly, neurodiversity affirming therapy supports neurodivergent differences, rather than viewing them as something that should be "cured", and to offer ways to support

5658-526: Is not stigmatized. The advantage of the theory is reducing pathologization of autistic people by identifying that everyone struggles to empathize with different neurotypes. It can also help neurotypical individuals to better understand how neurodivergent people think and empathize and to recognize their own limitations in empathizing with autistic people. Jaswal and Akhtar (2019) highlight the difference between being socially uninterested and appearing socially uninterested, and challenge preconceived notions of

5781-711: Is possible to identify general factors, but much more difficult to pinpoint specific ones. Given the current state of knowledge, prediction can only be of a global nature and so requires the use of general markers. Research into causes has been hampered by the inability to identify biologically meaningful subgroups within the autistic population and by the traditional boundaries between the disciplines of psychiatry , psychology , neurology and pediatrics . Newer technologies such as fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging can help identify biologically relevant phenotypes (observable traits) that can be viewed on brain scans , to help further neurogenetic studies of autism; one example

5904-422: Is responsible for the hydrolysis of ATP to adenosine diphosphate (ADP). CHD8 encodes a DNA helicase that functions as a repressor of transcription, remodeling chromatin structure by altering the position of nucleosomes. CHD8 negatively regulates Wnt signaling . Wnt signaling is important in the vertebrate early development and morphogenesis. It is believed that CHD8 also recruits the linker histone H1 and causes

6027-404: Is the social model of disability , which puts emphasis on the way that society treats people with disabilities. Through the social model of disability, the experiences of neurodivergent students in higher education is partially influenced by the reactions and attitudes of other students and the institution itself. The emotional experiences of neurodivergent students in higher education depend on

6150-726: Is the current version of the DSM. It is the predominant mental health diagnostic system used in the United States and Canada, and is often used in Anglophone countries. Its fifth edition, DSM-5 , released in May 2013, was the first to define ASD as a single diagnosis, which is still the case in the DSM-5-TR. ASD encompasses previous diagnoses, including the four traditional diagnoses of autism— classic autism , Asperger syndrome , childhood disintegrative disorder , and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)—and

6273-561: Is to discover the strengths of neurodivergent individuals and make use of their talents to increase innovation and productivity of their society, such as working in the field of healthcare and medicine. Neurodiversity has also recently been investigated as a new way of working within neurodevelopmental clinics in the UK. A team of researchers in Portsmouth, England, have created an approach in aiding neurodivergent individuals known as PANDA, or

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6396-399: Is unclear whether ASD is explained more by rare mutations with major effects, or by rare multi-gene interactions of common genetic variants. Complexity arises due to interactions among multiple genes, the environment, and epigenetic factors which do not change DNA sequencing but are heritable and influence gene expression . Many genes have been associated with autism through sequencing

6519-846: The California State Legislature , which provided $ 34 million to the institute for autism research. The efforts enabled construction of the institute's facility at the UC Davis Medical Center campus in Sacramento. After the major funding from the State, Rick Rollens , the former Secretary of the California State Senate and one of the leaders in the effort to create the institute, said the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

6642-794: The Centres for Disease Control (CDC), NICE and European Society for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (ESCAP) endorse the use of ABA as it reduces symptoms that impair daily functioning and quality of life , although NICE acknowledges that ABA does not meet the highest level of evidence-quality. Additionally, some in the autism rights movement oppose its application due to a perception that it emphasises normalisation. Speech and occupational therapy , as well as augmentative and alternative modes of communication , are effective adjunctive therapies . At present, no medication has been shown to reduce "core symptoms" of ASD. However, some atypical antipsychotics can alleviate comorbid irritability, though with

6765-493: The Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders published a systematic review of 21 studies investigating associations between ASD, problematic internet use, and gaming disorder where the majority of the studies found positive associations between the disorders. Exactly what causes autism remains unknown. It was long mostly presumed that there is a common cause at the genetic, cognitive, and neural levels for

6888-465: The autistic spectrum ". Blume was an early advocate who predicted the role the Internet would play in fostering the international neurodiversity movement. In a New York Times piece on June 30, 1997, Blume described the foundation of neurodiversity using the term neurological pluralism . Some authors also credit the earlier work of autistic advocate Jim Sinclair in laying the foundation for

7011-470: The "difference" view (41% of the study cohort) "indicated higher academic self-esteem and confidence in their abilities and many (73%) expressed considerable career ambitions with positive and clear goals". Many of these students reported gaining this view of themselves through contact with neurodiversity advocates in online support groups. A 2013 online survey which aimed to assess conceptions of autism and neurodiversity suggested that conception of autism as

7134-438: The "pathology paradigm" ). Advocates within the neurodiversity movements have also coined other alternative neologisms that people use to refer to themselves with the goal to remove the stigma of the medicalized view of neurodiversity. These terms, such as neurospicy are often used instead of neurodivergent by people when referring to themself. Neurotypical (an abbreviation of neurologically typical , sometimes NT )

7257-414: The 2010s to support campaigns. Annual traditions were formed such as Disability Day of Mourning and Autistics Speaking Day. Damian Milton notes that, in 2014, Nick Walker attempted to define neurodiversity, the neurodiversity movement, and the neurodiversity paradigm. Walker tied neurodiversity to the idea that "all brains are to a degree unique". She also defined the movement as a rights movement, and

7380-976: The Autistic Doctors International created by Dr. Mary Doherty. Another approach is the implementation of a 5-minute video summary (5MVS) for medical learners and physicians who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It consists of a 5-minute recorded video summary in which an engaging speaker presents the relevant information from a scientific article about ADHD using a brief PowerPoint presentation shared using videoconferencing technology. The researchers state that providing this educational tool for helping medical learners and physicians with ADHD acquire relevant information from scientific articles could help in addressing their inattention, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity, and improve their development of critical appraisal skills when working in healthcare. Similarly, healthcare systems may benefit from hiring neurodivergent individuals to gain

7503-452: The DSM-5, the DSM separated social deficits and communication deficits into two domains. Further, the DSM-5 changed to an onset age in the early developmental period, with a note that symptoms may manifest later when social demands exceed capabilities, rather than the previous, more restricted three years of age. These changes remain in the DSM-5-TR. For many autistic people, characteristics first appear during infancy or childhood and follow

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7626-595: The MIND Institute and a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and the Center for Neuroscience , a neuroscientist who studies the organization of memory systems in the brain. Sally J. Rogers is a specialist in developmental psychology and professor of psychiatry and behavior science for the institute. Jacqueline Crawley is a behavioral neuroscientist and an expert on rodent behavioral analysis and

7749-602: The Portsmouth Alliance Neurodiversity Approach. This approach may help medical and healthcare professionals facilitate understanding, communication and early support for children who may identify as being neurodivergent. Neurodiversity and the role it plays in therapeutic settings has been a central focal point in recent years. Many therapists and mental health professionals have pushed for more inclusive psychotherapeutic frameworks appropriate for neurodivergent individuals. One example

7872-473: The amount of factual information spread. The spread of information through social media exposure can assist the neurodiversity movement in educating the public about understanding disabilities such as autism and sifting out misinformation. By sharing neurodivergent experiences from a first hand perspective, social media can educate the public and destigmatize certain disorders, but negative portrayals of neurodivergence can have an obstructive impact on members of

7995-617: The articles were attempting to normalize disability. Many of them put distinct separation between typical and atypical learners as well as their potential academic achievement. Nachman also found that many of the articles showed a lack of autonomy for neurodivergent students. They had little power in regard to academic choices and classroom management. Neurodivergent individuals are subjected to bias when applying and interviewing for job positions. Specifically, neurodivergent individuals can have their social engagement style compared to neurotypical individuals, which can affect their ability to obtain

8118-432: The authenticity of neurodivergent users based on stereotypes shows that the neurodiversity movement has not reached its goal of inclusion. Medical and healthcare professionals have begun to acknowledge neurodivergence among employees. Specifically, more groups are being created that are centered around advocacy and peer support among medical and healthcare professionals who associate themselves with neurodiversity, such as

8241-516: The caregiver. In the second and third years, autistic children may have less frequent and less diverse babbling, consonants, words, and word combinations; their gestures are less often integrated with words. Autistic children are less likely to make requests or share experiences and more likely to simply repeat others' words ( echolalia ). The CDC estimated in 2015 that around 40% of autistic children do not speak at all. Autistic adults' verbal communication skills largely depend on when and how well speech

8364-417: The cause of self-injurious behavior in children with developmental delay, including autistic children: The suicide rate for verbal autistics is nine times that of the general population. Studies have supported the common belief that autistic people become exhausted or burnt out in some situations. Autistic people may have symptoms that do not contribute to the official diagnosis, but that can affect

8487-444: The classroom or in group work, and other impairments that can affect academic performance and success in higher education. However, neurodivergent students may find that their differences are a strength and an integral part of their new social roles as adults. The typical curriculum and format of higher education may pose as a challenge for neurodivergent students, and a lack of support and flexibility from staff may further complicate

8610-436: The communities themselves to connect. Media platforms allow the connection of individuals of similar backgrounds to find a community of support with one another. Online networking and connections allows for the user to decide their level of comfort with interactions, and allow them to retain control of a relationship with another user. For the neurodivergent community, the use of social media to create relationships has proven

8733-524: The community. Although representation of the neurodivergent community has grown with the help of social media platforms, those users are often criticized and misunderstood. Social media has not entirely removed the social barriers that restrict inclusion of neurodivergent people. Some have reported needing to conform to the mainstream view of their disability to be seen as "authentic" users. Doing so has indirectly made it more difficult for neurodivergent users to grow platforms. Non-disabled users evaluating

8856-429: The context of biodiversity and the politics of minority groups . Some neurodiversity advocates and researchers argue that the neurodiversity paradigm is the middle ground between a strong medical model and a strong social model. Neurodivergent individuals face unique challenges in education and the workplace. The efficacy of accessibility and support programs in career development and higher education depends on

8979-462: The contrary, other scientists argue that ASD impairs functioning in many ways that are inherent to the disorder itself and unrelated to society. The neurodiversity perspective has led to significant controversy among those who are autistic and advocates, practitioners, and charities. The precises causes of autism are unknown in most individual cases. Research shows that the disorder is highly heritable and polygenic, and neurobiological risks from

9102-703: The criteria to be diagnosed with autism. Early uses of NT were often satirical, as in the Institute for the Study of the Neurologically Typical, but it has been adopted by the neurodiversity movement too, and is now used in a serious manner. People with any form of neurocognitive or mental disorder , whether congenital or acquired, have also sometimes been excluded from the neurotypical label, particularly in academic studies for specific disorders that use neurotypical control groups. In this sense,

9225-513: The current disorder-focused spectrum model deconstruct autism into at least two separate phenomena: (1) a non-pathological spectrum of behavioral traits in the population, and (2) the neuropathological burden of rare genetic mutations and environmental risk factors potentially leading to neurodevelopmental and psychological disorders, (3) governed by an individual's cognitive ability to compensate. The World Health Organization 's International Classification of Diseases (11th Revision), ICD-11 ,

9348-400: The development of the autism spectrum, but it cannot be guaranteed that they are determinants for the development. ASD may be under-diagnosed in women and girls due to an assumption that it is primarily a male condition, but genetic phenomena such as imprinting and X linkage have the ability to raise the frequency and severity of conditions in males, and theories have been put forward for

9471-421: The director of IDDRC Rodent Behavior Core in MIND Institute. MIND institute has a major focus on studying neurodevelopmental disorders caused by genetic instability, e.g. fragile X syndrome. Randi J. Hagerman and Paul J. Hagerman have been studying genotype-phenotype correlations in fragile X and potential discovery of targeted treatment. In October 2002, the institute released a study appearing to confirm that

9594-470: The early 2010s such as Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network and The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism. More autistic people were appointed to federal advisory boards like Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee and National Council on Disability . There were various campaigns like the ongoing #StopTheShock related to the use of aversive treatment at Judge Rotenberg Center and various protests against Autism Speaks . Various flashblogs popped up during

9717-449: The environment are also relevant. Autism frequently co-occurs with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy and intellectual disability , and research indicates that autistic people have significantly higher rates of LGBTQ+ identities and feelings than the general population. Disagreements persist about what should be included as part of the diagnosis, whether there are meaningful subtypes or stages of autism, and

9840-535: The experiences of autistic and non-autistic people are so different that it is hard for one to understand how the other thinks; for example, non-autistic people may not understand when an autistic person is overwhelmed. It was originally conceived in 2012 by autistic scholar Damian Milton . One study comparing the conversations and socialization of autistic groups, non-autistic groups, and mixed groups found that autistic people were more able to build rapport with other autistic people than with non-autistic people, and at

9963-693: The exposure starts at a younger age. In April 2021, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders published a systematic review of 12 studies of video game addiction in ASD subjects that found that children, adolescents, and adults with ASD are at greater risk of video game addiction than those without ASD, and that the data from the studies suggested that internal and external factors (sex, attention and oppositional behavior problems, social aspects, access and time spent playing video games, parental rules, and game genre) were significant predictors of video game addiction in ASD subjects. In March 2022,

10086-562: The genomes of affected people and their parents. But most of the mutations that increase autism risk have not been identified. Typically, autism cannot be traced to a Mendelian (single-gene) mutation or to a single chromosome abnormality , and none of the genetic syndromes associated with ASD have been shown to selectively cause ASD. Numerous genes have been found, with only small effects attributable to any particular gene. Most loci individually explain less than 1% of cases of autism. As of 2018 , it appeared that between 74% and 93% of ASD risk

10209-446: The implications it may have in the therapeutic environment in working with the neurodivergent population. Another form of therapeutic intervention in that has been investigated in neurodivergent individuals is the use of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs). NDBIs have been shown to have positive effects on language and social-communication while, at the same time, respecting individuals’ needs and autonomy. One of

10332-598: The individual with difficult areas, while still appreciating their needs and strengths. Therapeutic programs and interventions are also being investigated for the neurodivergent community. Self-determination programs to help neurodivergent individuals achieve goals in their life has been founded to be successful, with neurodivergent participants finding it to be "appropriate, acceptable, and feasible". Various approaches (e.g., eye-tracking, longitudinal data, computational modeling) in understanding perceptual decision-making in neurodivergent individuals are also being studied and

10455-458: The individual's age and sociocultural context. Common signs of ASD include difficulty with social interaction and verbal and nonverbal communication , along with perseverative interests , stereotypic body movements , rigid routines, and hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input . The World Health Organization (WHO), UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and American Psychological Association classify autism as

10578-410: The individual's age and sociocultural context. The onset of the disorder occurs during the developmental period, typically in early childhood, but symptoms may not become fully manifest until later, when social demands exceed limited capacities. Deficits are sufficiently severe to cause impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning and are usually

10701-544: The individual. Social media has introduced a platform where neurodiversity awareness and support has emerged, further promoting the neurodiversity movement. The neurodiversity paradigm has been controversial among disability advocates, with opponents arguing it risks downplaying the suffering associated with some disabilities, and that it calls for the acceptance of things some would wish to be treated. The word neurodiversity first appeared in publication in 1998, in an article by American journalist Harvey Blume, as

10824-815: The interpersonal relationship difficulties between autistic people and their non-autistic counterparts and how to solve them through teaching neurotypical social skills, but newer research has also evaluated what autistic people want from friendships, such as a sense of belonging and good mental health. Children with ASD are more frequently involved in bullying situations than their non-autistic peers, and predominantly experience bullying as victims rather than perpetrators or victim-perpetrators, especially after controlling for comorbid psychopathology. Prioritizing dependability and intimacy in friendships during adolescence, coupled with lowered friendship quantity and quality, often lead to increased loneliness in autistic people. As they progress through life, autistic people observe and form

10947-436: The key. Yet that person may be disabled or disadvantaged most or all of the time. To neurodiversity proponents, people are disabled because they are at the edges of the bell curve, not because they are sick or broken." There are several models that are used to understand disability within the spectrum of neurodiversity. There is the medical model of disability that views people as needing to be treated or cured. Another model

11070-531: The late 1980s and early 1990s with the start of Autism Network International . Much of the correspondence that led to the formation of the movement happened over autism conferences, namely the autistic-led autreat , penpal lists, and Usenet . The framework grew out of the disability rights movement and builds on the social model of disability , arguing that disability partly arises from societal barriers , rather than attributing disability purely to inherent deficits. It instead situates human cognitive variation in

11193-521: The medical (or pathology) model can be applied in treating certain traits, behaviors, or conditions that are intrinsically harmful (e.g. self-injury behaviors, epilepsy, or other co-occurring health conditions), while neurodiversity approaches can be applied to non-harmful or adaptive autistic traits (e.g. stimming , intense interests ) of the same individual. In recent years, both new intervention strategies and neurodiversity-based reforms of existing intervention strategies have been developed. Following

11316-553: The medical evaluations will continue for several years. Over time, it is anticipated that this information will assist in determining the appropriate supports or therapies to fulfill each individual's specific requirements. Autism spectrum#Early life Autism , or autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive, restricted, and inflexible patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as well as difficulties in social interaction and social communication. Autism generally affects

11439-419: The medical model is associated with higher stigma. Similarly, some researchers and advocates also argue that a medicalizing approach can contribute to stigma and ableism, and that the persistent focus on biological research in autism is at odds with the priorities of those in the autism community. Autistic self-advocate and researcher Ari Ne'eman has suggested a trait-based approach, where elements of

11562-674: The movement. Sinclair's 1993 speech "Don't Mourn For Us" emphasized autism as a way of being, claiming "it is not possible to separate the person from the autism." The Neurodiversity Movement grew largely from online interaction. The internet's design lent well to the needs of many autistic people. People socialized over listservs and IRCs . Some of the websites used for organizing in the Neurodiversity Movement's early days include sites like Autistics.Org and Autistic People Against Neuroleptic Abuse. Core principles were developed from there. Principles such as advocating for

11685-446: The neurodiversity movement in the media came about with changes in the technology of the media platforms themselves. The recent addition of text-based options on various social media sites allow disabled users to communicate, enjoy, and share at a more accessible rate. Social media has a two-fold benefit to the neurodivergent community: it can help spread awareness and pioneer the neurodiversity movement, and it can also allow members of

11808-443: The other hand, genes controlling expression of glial and immune cells in the brain, e.g. astrocytes and microglia , respectively, are over-expressed, which correlates with increased number of glial and immune cells found in postmortem ASD brains. Some genes under investigation in ASD pathophysiology are those that affect the mTOR signaling pathway, which supports cell growth and survival. All these genetic variants contribute to

11931-704: The paradigm as a broader discussion of diversity, cultural constructions and social dynamics. In recent years, the concept of neurodiversity has gained traction among members of the scientific community, who have argued that autism researchers have sometimes been too ready to interpret differences as deficits. It has also been suggested that there are both ethical and practical risks in attempting to reduce or suppress autistic traits through interventions, as some recent studies have indicated that higher levels of masking are generally associated with poorer mental health outcomes among autistic people, including suicidality . Researchers have found that psychoeducation based on

12054-577: The person or the family. In September 2018, the Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders published a systematic review of 47 studies published from 2005 to 2016 that concluded that associations between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and screen time was inconclusive. In May 2019, the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics published a systematic review of 16 studies that found that children and adolescents with ASD are exposed to more screen time than typically developing peers and that

12177-438: The presence of other disorders or factors that likely contribute to the symptoms, other neurodevelopmental or mental disorders, intellectual disability, or language impairment). The symptom domains are (a) social communication and (b) restricted, repetitive behaviors, and there is the option of specifying a separate severity—the negative effect of the symptoms on the person—for each domain, rather than just overall severity. Before

12300-1396: The presentation varies widely: The broader autism phenotype describes people who may not have ASD but do have autistic traits , such as abnormalities in eye contact and stimming . According to the medical model, autistic people experience social communications impairments . Until 2013, deficits in social function and communication were considered two separate symptom domains. The current social communication domain criteria for autism diagnosis require people to have deficits across three social skills: social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communication, and developing and sustaining relationships. A deficit-based view predicts that autistic–autistic interaction would be less effective than autistic–non-autistic interactions or even non-functional. But recent research has found that autistic–autistic interactions are as effective in information transfer as interactions between non-autistics are, and that communication breaks down only between autistics and non-autistics. Also contrary to social cognitive deficit interpretations, recent (2019) research recorded similar social cognitive performances in autistic and non-autistic adults, with both of them rating autistic individuals less favorably than non-autistic individuals; however, autistic individuals showed more interest in engaging with autistic people than non-autistic people did, and learning of

12423-498: The prevalence of autism has risen steeply. The study was led by Robert Byrd, whose team gathered information on 684 children with developmental disabilities from California 's Department of Developmental Services regional centers. Byrd's team's reported autism was on the rise in California, and that some of the increase was real and could not be explained by artificial factors such as misclassification and diagnostic criteria changes, nor by migration of children into California. However,

12546-419: The range of diagnoses that included the word "autism". Rather than distinguishing among these diagnoses, the DSM-5 and DSM-5-TR adopt a dimensional approach with one diagnostic category for disorders that fall under the autism spectrum umbrella. Within that category, the DSM-5 and the DSM include a framework that differentiates each person by dimensions of symptom severity, as well as by associated features (i.e.,

12669-917: The regulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and the regulation of X chromosome inactivation (XCI) initiation, via regulation of Xist long non-coding RNA, the master regulator of XCI, though competitive binding to Xist regulatory regions. Some ASD is associated with clearly genetic conditions, like fragile X syndrome , but only around 2% of autistic people have fragile X. Hypotheses from evolutionary psychiatry suggest that these genes persist because they are linked to human inventiveness, intelligence or systemising. Current research suggests that genes that increase susceptibility to ASD are ones that control protein synthesis in neuronal cells in response to cell needs, activity and adhesion of neuronal cells, synapse formation and remodeling, and excitatory to inhibitory neurotransmitter balance. Therefore, although up to 1,000 different genes are thought to increase

12792-772: The repression of β-catenin and p53 target genes. The importance of CHD8 can be observed in studies where CHD8-knockout mice died after 5.5 embryonic days because of widespread p53-induced apoptosis. Some studies have determined the role of CHD8 in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). CHD8 expression significantly increases during human mid-fetal development. The chromatin remodeling activity and its interaction with transcriptional regulators have shown to play an important role in ASD aetiology . The developing mammalian brain has conserved CHD8 target regions that are associated with ASD risk genes. The knockdown of CHD8 in human neural stem cells results in dysregulation of ASD risk genes that are targeted by CHD8. Recently CHD8 has been associated with

12915-552: The rights and autonomy of all people with brain disabilities with a focus on autism. The main conflicts from the beginning were about who the real experts on autism are, what causes autism, what treatments are appropriate, and who gets to call themselves autistic. During the 2000s, people started blogs such as Mel Baggs ' Ballastexistenz and Kevin Leitch's Left Brain Right Brain. Eventually, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)

13038-541: The rise of the autism rights movement in the 1990s, many autistic advocates, including Kassiane Asasumasu , recognized that a wide variety of people experienced the world in ways similar to autistic people, despite not being autistic. As a result, Asasumasu coined the related terms neurodivergent and neurodivergence circa 2000. According to Asasumasu, neurodivergent/neurodivergence refers to those "whose neurocognitive functioning diverges from dominant societal norms in multiple ways". She intended for these terms to apply to

13161-452: The risk of ASD, all of them eventually affect normal neural development and connectivity between different functional areas of the brain in a similar manner that is characteristic of an ASD brain. Some of these genes are known to modulate production of the GABA neurotransmitter, the nervous system's main inhibitory neurotransmitter. These GABA-related genes are under-expressed in an ASD brain. On

13284-737: The root of changes in the neurodevelopment of California's children. In 2006, the MIND Institute launched its Autism Phenome Project, with the objective of identifying biological and behavioral patterns in order to define distinct autism spectrum subtypes. According to Amaral, "The tremendous variation in autism leads us to believe that it is a group of disorders rather than a single one." The longitudinal study will enroll 1800 children, aged two to four: 900 diagnosed with autism, 450 with developmental delays, and 450 neurotypical control subjects. The study will involve systematic analyses of immune systems, brain structures, genetics, environmental exposures, blood proteins and other developmental indicators, and

13407-581: The scientific community. In contrast to some of the shortcomings of terms like 'neurotypical' (such as its underlying assumption that neurodivergent experiences are an anomaly, i.e. not typical), a growing group of advocates in the neurodivergent movement prefer other terms such as "neuroconforming". Modern neuroscientists such as writer Mo Costandi view the neurodiversity movement and terms like "neurotypical" to be pseudoscientific , having no use in neuroscience. Early definitions described neurotypicals as individuals who do not have autism and do not meet

13530-409: The significance of autism-associated traits in the wider population. The combination of broader criteria, increased awareness, and the potential increase of actual prevalence, has led to considerably increased estimates of autism prevalence since the 1990s. The WHO estimates about 1 in 100 children had autism between 2012 and 2021, as that was the average estimate in studies during that period, with

13653-546: The social and non-social components of ASD's symptoms, described as a triad in the classic autism criteria. But it is increasingly suspected that autism is instead a complex disorder whose core aspects have distinct causes that often cooccur. It is unlikely that ASD has a single cause; many risk factors identified in the research literature may contribute to ASD. These include genetics, prenatal and perinatal factors (meaning factors during pregnancy or very early infancy), neuroanatomical abnormalities, and environmental factors. It

13776-402: The social aspects of college life. Similarly, career preparation that is specifically targeted for neurodivergent students is lacking. There are several programs, such as supported employment , that exist to help assist neurodivergent individuals in finding and obtaining a job. However, many of these programs do not exist in schools. This can make it difficult for neurodivergent students to find

13899-523: The social context and subtext of neurotypical conversational or printed situations, and form different conclusions about the content. Autistic people may not control the volume of their voice in different social settings. At least half of autistic children have atypical prosody . What may look like self-involvement or indifference to non-autistic people stems from autistic differences in recognizing how other people have their own personalities, perspectives, and interests. Most published research focuses on

14022-531: The term is now contrasted to neurodivergent. Some people prefer the term allistic , which unambiguously means "not autistic". The National Autistic Society of the United Kingdom describes the word as "mainly used by autistic people so may not be applicable in, for example, the popular press". The theory of the double empathy problem argues that autistic people do not lack empathy as often supposed by people who see autism as pathological. Rather,

14145-437: The type, timing, and whether there should be treatment at all. Activists such as Jennifer White-Johnson have helped bring attention to the neurodiversity movement, by creating symbols of protest and recognition, including a combination of the black power fist and infinity symbol . A 2009 study separated 27 students with conditions including autism, dyslexia, developmental coordination disorder, ADHD, and having suffered

14268-515: The university experience. Thus, reasonable adjustments are available to students who disclose their disabilities. However, these adjustments and/or accommodations may put an emphasis on academics, and less on the various challenges of higher education on neurodivergent students. For instance, neurodivergent students in higher education also report a need for non-academic supports, such as social mentorships and resources for strength-based interventions in order to further assist neurodivergent students in

14391-482: The utility or meaning of body language , social reciprocity, or social expectations, including the habitus , social cues , and some aspects of sarcasm, which to some degree may also be due to comorbid alexithymia . But recent research has increasingly questioned these findings, as the " double empathy problem " theory (2012) argues that there is a lack of mutual understanding and empathy between both non-autistic persons and autistic individuals. As communication

14514-744: The workforce, as well as educate companies on supporting neurodivergent employees. In a systematic review that considered developmental dyslexia as "an expression of neurodiversity", it was suggested that neurodiversity is not yet an established concept in the workplace, and therefore, support from social relationships and work accommodations is minimal. Furthermore, another systematic review that focused on pharmacological and combined pharmacological/ psychosocial interventions for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder found that there were few workplace-based intervention studies, and suggested that additional research needs to be conducted to figure out how to best support neurodivergent employees in

14637-516: The workplace. A study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic suggested that neurodivergent individuals would benefit from remote work as it allowed them to engage in their interests, but that social engagement is still necessary for productivity and performance. Another study supported these findings and stressed the need for redesigned work and social conditions to be more inclusive for individuals with autism. The increase of representation of

14760-415: Was funding genetic-oriented research into autism, and that the MIND Institute was created by parents demanding that scientists look at other causes. The MIND Institute brings together experts in fields as diverse as molecular genetics and clinical pediatrics , using a multidisciplinary approach to treating and finding cures for neurodevelopmental disorders. David G. Amaral is the research director of

14883-574: Was published and ICD-9 was current), including more rigorous biological assessment—in place of historical experience—and a simplification of the classification system. As of 2023, empirical and theoretical research is leading to a growing consensus among researchers that the established ASD criteria are ineffective descriptors of autism as a whole, and that alternative research approaches must be encouraged, such as going back to autism prototypes, exploring new causal models of autism, or developing transdiagnostic endophenotypes . Proposed alternatives to

15006-466: Was released in June 2018 and came into full effect as of January 2022. It describes ASD as follows: Autism spectrum disorder is characterised by persistent deficits in the ability to initiate and to sustain reciprocal social interaction and social communication, and by a range of restricted, repetitive, and inflexible patterns of behaviour, interests or activities that are clearly atypical or excessive for

15129-585: Was started by Ari Ne'eman and Scott Robertson to further align the Neurodiversity Movement with the greater disability rights movement . ASAN led the Ransom Notes Campaign to successfully remove stigmatizing disability ads posted by the NYU Child Study Center. This was a massive turning point for the Neurodiversity Movement. From there, the Neurodiversity Movement continued to grow with the formation of more organizations in

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