ABSTRACT
Autism Spectrum Disorder, a new diagnosis in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), was developed to classify individuals with impairments due to difficulties with social communication and social interaction, as well as the presence of restrictive and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) replaces a set of diagnoses that were included in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV), including Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) – Not Otherwise Specified, and Asperger’s Disorder (APA, 2000). These diagnoses were previously grouped together within a category labeled Pervasive Developmental Disorders. At present, it is estimated that one in 68 children (one in 42 boys; one in 189 girls) have an ASD diagnosis (Center for Disease Control, 2014).
