[1] The current accepted prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are around 1%,[2] although previous research has shown far lower rates of incidence.
[4] The risk of autism is associated with several prenatal factors, including advanced parental age and diabetes in the mother during pregnancy.
[8] Multiple twin and family studies have been conducted in order to observe any genetic influence in diagnosing ASD.
Researchers suspected that the WISC relied too heavily on language to be an accurate measure of intelligence for autistic individuals.
The RPM measures abstract, general and fluid reasoning, an ability autistic individuals have been presumed to lack.
The facilitator holds or gently touches the disabled person's arm or hand during this process and attempts to help them move to type on a special keyboard.
[27] There is widespread agreement within the scientific community and multiple disability advocacy organizations that FC is not a valid technique for authentically augmenting the communication skills of those with autism spectrum disorder.
[31] In addition, numerous cases have been reported by investigators in which disabled persons were assumed by facilitators to be typing a coherent message while the patient's eyes were closed or while they were looking away from or showing no particular interest in the letter board.
Their advocacy efforts focus primarily on medical research to identify genetic and environmental risk factors in autism.
Those who favour the neurodiversity paradigm, which aligns with the social model of disability, see autism as a naturally-occurring variation in the brain.
Their advocacy efforts focus primarily on acceptance, accommodation, and support for autistic people as "neuro-minorities" in society.
[citation needed] The pathology paradigm is the traditional view of autism through a biomedical lens, in which it is seen as a disorder characterized by various impairments, mainly in communication and social interaction.
[36] The atypical behaviors of autistic individuals are considered a detriment to social and professional success and should therefore be reduced or eliminated through therapy.
[39][41] Autistic people are considered to have neurocognitive differences[33] which give them distinct strengths and weaknesses, and are capable of succeeding when appropriately accommodated and supported.