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DSM is the diagnostic criteria for autism. There are three areas of DSM.
First, social interactions is the lack of understanding or use of nonverbal communication, struggles with peer relationships and lack of reciprocity.
The second diagnostic criteria is communication. People with autism have a delay or lack of spoken or idiosyncratic language; lack of varied, spontaneous play; and impairment in initiating and sustaining conversation.
The last diagnostic criteria is the restricted patterns of behavior. Which refers to the inflexibility, nonfuctional routines or rituals, preoccupation with parts of objects, repetitive motor mannerisms.
The authors of the books think the diagnostic criteria for autism should be adjusted because impairments in memory and learning are not included but there have been studies  of neuropsychological functioning in individuals with autism/ASD.

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In 2013, Asperger Syndrome became part of ASD as reported in the publication of DSM-5.
AS is on the high end of the spectrum.  The characteristics of AS include limited or inappropriate social interactions, repetitive speech, challenges with nonverbal communication such as gestures and facial expressions.  They tend to discuss themselves and lack an understanding of social and emotional cues.  There is sometimes a lack of eye contact and obsessive interests on limited topics.  They may also be awkward due to poor fine motor skills.

Diagnosis may come later in life as the person is getting help with other issues having to do with anxiety, depression or social difficulties. They are sometimes misdiagnosed with ADD or ADHD.

This syndrome was named after Hans Asperger in 1944, who described four young patients with similar social difficulties, as well as all the symptoms described above.  In 1981, his work was finally made known, and eventually made it into the DSM-4.

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There are Three Psychological Theories of ASD

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There are Three Psychological Theories of ASD

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1) Impaired Theory of Mind refers to a diminished ability to see from another's perspective.  People with ADS are unable to recognize other's thoughts, intensions, and beliefs.  (Baron-Cohen,  1995)
2)  Weak Central Coherence refers to being able to see the details, but missing the whole picture.
3)  Impaired Executive Function may cause someone with ASD to act impulsively because they don't think through consequences.  The areas that are effected are organizational and planning abilities, as well as working memory and impulse control.  Time management and prioritizing is also a problem.  Teaching new strategies is difficult as well.

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There are five main characteristics that are associated with autism; namely, difficulties in relating to people, problems with communication skills, unusual profiles of cognitive abilities and interests, and an increased sensitivity to specific sensory experiences. These can all be known as a dimension, a continuum, or a spectrum.
Within the social dimension a child might struggle with social interactions such as; avoiding interactions with peers, being passive, or will stand social interaction but only to get something they want.
A child who makes noises but does not speak words is the most severe form on the communication spectrum. On the upper end of the spectrum a child may have excellent verbal skills but lacks eye contact or does not realize when someone loses interest in the conversation.
The cognitive dimension varies widely. Some children have severe learning disabilities and some have more advanced skills than others.
The spectrum we know the least about is the sensory sensitivity. The most severe form is when a child may be in pain from noises, visuals, touch and smells.

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What Causes ASD?    There are six aspects that are known to cause ASD.

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What Causes ASD?    There are six aspects that are known to cause ASD.

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Genetics has been studied in families to fine a link between identical twins as well as siblings and fraternal twins.  The research shows that there is a probability of 70 to 90% rate that both  identical twins will have ASD, as opposed to siblings and fraternal twins, which is 0 to 22%.

Neurology and neurochemistry have found dysfunction of two chemicals in the brain called serotonin and dopamine, which effect thought, emotion and behavior.

Metabolism errors, due to a deficiency in an enzyme that converts the amino acid phenylalanine into tyrosine, creates an toxic build up of phenylalanine.  The result is damage to the brain and ID.  This is similar to ASD.

Infections in pregnancy and early childhood may lead to ASD.
Autoimmune Disorders, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma may have a link to ASD.

Gender Differences shows that boys are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed than girls with ASD.  There may be errors in these numbers, as girls are sometimes better at hiding the signs by imitating social cues around them.