and Treatment Options
Abstract
Since the documented observations of Kanner in
1943, there has been great debate about the diagnoses, the
sub-types, and the diagnostic threshold that relates to what
is now known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Reflecting this complicated history, there has been continual
refinement from DSM-III with ‘Infantile Autism’ to
the current DSM-V diagnosis. The disorder is now widely
accepted as a complex, pervasive, heterogeneous condition
with multiple etiologies, sub-types, and developmental
trajectories. Diagnosis remains based on observation of
atypical behaviors, with criteria of persistent deficits in
social communication and restricted and repetitive patterns
of behavior. This review provides a broad overview of the
history, prevalence, etiology, clinical presentation, and
heterogeneity of ASD. Factors contributing to heterogeneity,
including genetic variability, comorbidity, and
gender are reviewed. We then explore current evidencebased
pharmacological and behavioral treatments for ASD
and highlight the complexities of conducting clinical trials
that evaluate therapeutic efficacy in ASD populations.
Finally, we discuss the potential of a new wave of research
examining objective biomarkers to facilitate the evaluation
of sub-typing, diagnosis, and treatment response in ASD.