Child Psychology and Psychiatry

49
, 422–32.
139

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Section 5b
Middle Childhood

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Middle childhood
23
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Tony Charman
Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), Department of Psychology and Human
Development, Institute of Education, London, UK
INTRODUCTION
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is the term
used to describe the range of conditions that share
a common core with childhood autism, the proto-
typic disorder in the spectrum of autistic disorders.
All ASDs share the following characteristics:
•
Qualitative impairments in social interaction
,
shown by: the use of non-verbal behaviours
such as eye gaze and body posture to regulate
social interaction; a failure to develop peer
relationships; a lack of spontaneous showing
and sharing of interests; and a lack of social
emotional reciprocity.
•
Qualitative impairments in social communica-
tion
, shown by: delayed language development
without non-verbal compensation; problems
starting/sustaining conversations; repetitive and
stereotyped language; and a lack of imaginative
and imitative play.
•
Restricted repertoire of interests, behaviours and
activities
, shown by: abnormal over-focus on