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Behavioural, Biopsychosocial, and Cognitive Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders

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International Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Part of the book series: Autism and Child Psychopathology Series ((ACPS))

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a range of developmental disorders including autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified/atypical autism, each of which is characterized by a triad of impairments in social interaction, communication, and restricted, repetitive behaviours and interests (RRBIs) (American Psychiatric Association, 2000; World Health Organization, 1993). ASD was originally identified and described in 1943 by Kanner, who believed the disorder to be biologically based. However, in the following decades, psychosocial explanations for ASD began to gain influence. Most notably, Bettelheim (1967) attributed the development of ASD as a response to emotionally “cold” parenting. Although this theory was influential for a significant period of time, it has not received empirical support, and it is now widely agreed that ASD is a biologically based disorder. Twin studies have consistently indicated that ASD is a highly heritable disorder (e.g. Bailey et al., 1995; Folstein & Rutter, 1977; Steffenburg, Hellgren, Gillberg, Jakobsen, & Bohman, 1989). Furthermore, although molecular genetic studies have not yet established a set of necessary and sufficient genes that cause the disorder, they have begun to identify a set of genes that are reliably associated with ASD (International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism Consortium, 1998, 2001, 2005).

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  1. Department of Psychology, Durham University, Science Site, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

    Sophie E. Lind & David M. Williams

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  1. Sophie E. Lind
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  1. Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 70803, Louisiana, USA

    Johnny L. Matson

  2. City University of New York, Department of Psychology, Queens College, Flushing, 11367, New York, USA

    Peter Sturmey

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Lind, S.E., Williams, D.M. (2011). Behavioural, Biopsychosocial, and Cognitive Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. In: Matson, J., Sturmey, P. (eds) International Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8065-6_7

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