Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a rich and lengthy history. The history of ASD runs parallel and intertwines with the growth of the professions of psychology and medicine. Psychologists and physicians observed and documented child differences over the centuries, starting as early as 1798. These early clinicians who observed, wrote about, and treated children who were different set the stage for the 20^thcentury papers that form the foundations of our current knowledge of ASD. Did you realize that the history of autism is indeed linked to medicine? Well, it is. All too often graduate students communicate a disdain for the medical profession. thinking that assumes ASD is only likened to behaviorism and applied behavior analysis. The shoulders upon which we perch (for ASD) are committed, curious, and caring physicians.

AUT527 - Week 1 - Study Questions Lord et al. article

1. What was the purpose of this article? (What did the authors intend to discuss?) p. 1

2. Describe environmental risk factors. What does this mean? What are some noted risk factors? p. 2

3. On what basis is the diagnosis of autism made (be sure to include two core elements of the diagnostic process)? p. 9-11

4. Why is early intervention seen as a priority? p.12

5. Briefly discuss (a few sentences) the quality-of-life issues, include points about subjective and objective measures, self-advocate perspectives, family perspectives. p. 14-17

6. What did you learn from this article that was the most surprising or unexpected to you?