What is Autism?

Autism spectrum disorder, also known as ASD, is a neurological and developmental disorder that causes deficits in communication, socio-emotional reciprocity, learning, and behavior (Frith & Happé, 2005). Although it can be diagnosed during any stage of life, symptoms of ASD generally become apparent during the first two years. According to the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2022), along with deficits in social communication and social interaction, symptoms of autism include repetitive patterns of behaviors and interests, rigid thinking or cognitive inflexibility, and developmental delays in areas like language and motor skill development that do not overlap with other potential medical or mental conditions (APA, 2022). Based on features and their severity, three levels of autism vary in ability and deficit.

Autism's Role in Personality Development

Weaknesses in social interaction and communication skills can affect personality development. Dell'Osso et al. (2023) compared overlapping features between ASD and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Although autism is not a personality disorder, similar features and symptomology can depict characteristics that resemble and overlap with personality conditions like BPD.

Chronic difficulties in social communication and restricted, repetitive interests can prompt behavioral patterns that make such symptoms appear more pronounced. Without a fundamental underlying understanding of autism spectrum disorder and how such behavioral patterns can manifest, symptoms can easily become misrecognized for less than favorable or socially acceptable personality characteristics.   

Difference Factors in Treatment

Treatment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder is dependent on their level of severity, functionality, precise areas of deficit(s), and needs of the individuals and/or caregiver(s). A study by Rogers and Vismara (2008) concluded positive findings in therapeutic intervention, explicitly focusing on the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) method. Research further supported that intervention is most beneficial when diagnosed in early childhood, and the number of weekly therapeutic hours varies from child to child and presented symptomology. A child presenting with a sensory-sensitive behavior like difficulty tolerating loud noises or bright lights and covering the ears/eyes is likely to require a lesser amount of ABA hours than a child who presents with a high-risk behavior like self-harm or aggression triggered by a scenario warranting significant communication skills/abilities. 

In some circumstances, pharmacological therapy is also used for intervention and treatment. 



References

  1.  American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.).

  2.          Dell’Osso, L., Cremone, I. M., Nardi, B., Tognini, V., Castellani, L., Perrone, P., Amatori, G., & Carpita, B. (2023). Comorbidity and overlaps between autism spectrum and borderline personality disorder: State of the art. Brain Sciences, 13(6), 862. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060862

  3.          Frith, U., & Happé, F. (2005). Autism spectrum disorder. Current Biology, 15(19), R786-R790. 10.1016/j.cub.2005.09.033 

  4.          Rogers, S. J., & Vismara, L. A. (2008). Evidence-based comprehensive treatments for early autism. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 37(1), 8-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374410701817808

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