What is ASD?
“What is ASD?” This is one of the most controversial topics at hand and with due rights. ASD is constantly changing and evolving to include more and more “disorders” in what seems like a daily basis. The ASD umbrella has been jam packed with more and more clinical disorders that health professionals see fits best under this category that it has sent the total numbers of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder sky rocketing to astronomical highs. By doing so it has sent many into a state of fear of sorts of the individuals on the spectrum and in many cases caused undo criticisms towards these individuals. Even with all of the opinions and expertise going around, the underlying question still exists. “What is ASD?” We will give you the clinical definition set forth by the CDC, but the real purpose for this blog is to let the people be heard. This site is about letting all speak on the matter so we can as a community create an answer to this question that seems to go in so many directions. To try to minimalize any fears surrounding this question or the individuals it involves. So please, we invite everyone to get involved so we can all read the opinions that surround this question. We look forward to reading every persons response on this topic.
CDC definition: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people, but people with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others need less.
A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. These conditions are now all called autism spectrum disorder.