What is it about?
This theoretical review discusses the concept of autism in light of new ideas, prior theory, clinical vignettes, and recent empirical evidence. Autism may represent a transdiagnostic, dimensional construct of reasoning. It is argued that future autism research needs to develop translational models that include both mechanisms at the social level as well as mechanisms that relate 1) a basic susceptibility, 2) adaptive processes and 3) decompensating factors in a developmental framework.
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Why is it important?
In light of recent evidence, more complex theoretical models will be needed to inform autism research.
Perspectives
The suggested redefinition of the concept of autism and a dimensional transdiagnostic approach may not only affect the future diagnostic delimitation of autism spectrum disorders and related disorders but also question the overall concept of “normality” and, as a consequence, influence the overall concept of “mental disorders”, thereby possibly affecting the generally accepted principles for delimiting psychiatric disorders while going beyond the symptom level.
Bodil Aggernæs
Region Sjaelland
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This page is a summary of: Autism: a transdiagnostic, dimensional, construct of reasoning?, European Journal of Neuroscience, May 2017, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13599.
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