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. 2010 Nov 1;12(11):867-72.
doi: 10.1001/virtualmentor.2010.12.11.cprl1-1011.

The spectrum of autism-from neuronal connections to behavioral expression

Carla A Mazefsky  1 , Nancy J Minshew
Affiliations

The spectrum of autism-from neuronal connections to behavioral expression

Carla A Mazefsky et al. Virtual Mentor. .

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders are defined behaviorally by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) IV-TR based on abnormal development in social interaction and communication and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behaviors and interests that are evident before the age of 3. After decades of debate, research has demonstrated that the distinctions among autism, Asperger disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified are neither clinically reliable nor based on valid neurobiological or genetic differences. The fifth edition of the DSM therefore proposes to collapse all of the clinical syndromes under the single diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

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