Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Introduction

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental conditions which can present very differently in each person, and are likely to have other problems/disorders which can affect matters further. In addition the classification is constantly evolving, with changes in the terminology and diagnostic criteria. This chapter provides an overview of ASD and explores some of the issues surrounding this condition. Individuals with ASD experience multiple intrinsically linked challenges in their social interactions due to problems with expressive, receptive, and paralinguistic communication. In the chapter, we explore the role of research around communication in individuals with ASD, particularly on conversation analysis and discourse analysis approaches, and the benefits that these approaches may have.