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Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Health Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities across the Lifespan

Abstract

There is increasing consensus that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can no longer be regarded as rare. Over the past ten years, ASD prevalence rates have increased dramatically. Despite increasing awareness, however, there remains a dearth of diagnostic and evaluation services for children with ASD, and an even more serious lack of services for adults with ASD. In the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), diagnostic criteria include persistent social communication impairment, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Clinicians also rate the severity of these deficits, based upon what level of support they require rather than upon symptom severity per se. Essential elements of practices are that they be person-centered and individualized. The goals of this chapter are to elucidate the physician’s role in the management of children and adults with ASD, especially the recognition that co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions must be effectively diagnosed and treated. Support for the family is central to the care of the individual impacted with ASD.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Melmed Center, 4848 E Cactus Road, Ste. #940, Scottsdale, AZ, 85254, USA

    Raun D. Melmed M.D.

  2. Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Raun D. Melmed M.D.

  3. Department of Human Genetics and Emory Autism Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael St Suite 301, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Joseph F. Cubells Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Raun D. Melmed M.D.
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  2. Joseph F. Cubells Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Raun D. Melmed M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Innovative Solutions for Disadvantage and Disability and Department of Pediatrics, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    I. Leslie Rubin

  2. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Medical Services, Division for Developmental and Developmental Disabilities, Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, Jerusalem, Israel

    Joav Merrick

  3. Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Donald E. Greydanus  & Dilip R. Patel  & 

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Melmed, R.D., Cubells, J.F. (2016). Autism Spectrum Disorder. In: Rubin, I.L., Merrick, J., Greydanus, D.E., Patel, D.R. (eds) Health Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities across the Lifespan. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18096-0_121

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18096-0_121

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-18095-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-18096-0

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