Autism restricted pattern

Autism is an interesting model for the study of consciousness. The combination of social isolation, language impairment and restricted, repetitive interests and behaviours together with idiosyncratic patterns in attention, concentration and interpersonal behaviour offer opportunities for the exploration of certain aspects of consciousness ... 

Autism and the related disorders Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD NOS) and Asperger syndrome (AS) are neurodevelopmental conditions with strong heritability (Muhle et ah, 2004) characterized by impairment in social-communicative skills and a restricted and repetitive pattern of interests and behaviours. Together they are broadly referred to as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (APA, 2000). 

Although the etiology of autism is not understood, the defining or core symptoms of autistic disorder are considered to be impaired social interaction, impaired verbal and nonverbal communication, and restrictive, repetitive patterns of behavior. In addition, most patients with a primary diagnosis of autism exhibit other neurological or psychiatric symptoms, which may include seizures, sleep disorders, anxiety, panic attacks, attention deficit/hyperactivity, self-injury, and cognitive impairment (Simonoff et ah, 2008). It is not known to what extent these comorbidities reflect the primary pathology of autism and to what extent they represent unrelated vulnerabilities that are exacerbated by the impaired social interaction and communication that is characteristic of the disorder. 

I Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder consisting of qnalitative impairment of social functioiung, commmucation and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour and interests. 

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