Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan

Cory Shulman; Amy Esler; Michael J Morrier; Catherine E Rice

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2020.08.001

Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2020 Dec;43(4):583-603. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2020.08.001.

Authors

Cory Shulman¹, Amy Esler², Michael J Morrier³, Catherine E Rice³

Affiliations

¹ The Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, 91905, Israel. Electronic address: cory.shulman@mail.huji.ac.il.
² Division of Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota 2540 Riverside Ave S., RPB 550, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA.
³ Emory Autism Center, 1551 Shoup Court, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Decatur, GA 30033, USA.

PMID: 33126997
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2020.08.001

Abstract

Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders it is also one of the most heterogeneous conditions, making identification and diagnosis complex. The importance of a stable and consistent diagnosis cannot be overstated. An accurate diagnosis is the basis for understanding the individual and establishing an individualized treatment plan. We present those elements that should be included in any assessment for ASD and describe the ways in which ASD typically manifests itself at various developmental stages. The implications and challenges for assessment at different ages and levels of functioning are discussed.

Keywords: Adult; Assessment; Autism spectrum disorder; Diagnosis; Infancy and toddlerhood; Lifespan; School age.

Publication types

Review