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AUTISM TERMINOLOGY
When referring to someone who is
diagnosed with autism, the term "autistic" is often used. Alternatively,
many prefer to use the person-first terminology "person with autism" or
"person who experiences autism." However, it has been noted that members
of the autistic community generally prefer 'autistic person' for reasons
that are fairly controversial. This article uses both terminologies.
Autistic savants
Main article: Autistic savant
The autistic savant phenomenon is sometimes seen in autistic people.
Estimates of the prevalence of this phenomenon range between 1% and 10%.
The term is used to describe a person who is autistic and has extreme
talent in a certain area of study. Although there is a common association
between savants and autism (an association made especially popular by the
1988 film Rain Man), most autistic people are not savants and savantism is
not unique to autistic people, though there does seem to be some relation.
Mental calculators and fast computer programming skills are the most
common form. A well known example is Daniel Tammet, the subject of the
documentary film The Brain Man (Kim Peek, one of the inspirations for
Dustin Hoffman's character in the film Rain Man, is not autistic). Bright
Splinters of the Mind by Beate Hermelin is a book that explores this issue
further.
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Terminology
2
History
3
Characteristics
Key Behaviors
Noted behaviors
Social development
Sensory system
Autism and blindness
Communication difficulties
Repetitive behaviors
Effects in education
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DSM definition
5
Types of autism
Asperger's and Kanner's syndrome
Autism as a spectrum disorder
6
Epidemiology
7
Treatment
8
Causes
Physiology and Neurology
Genetic Component
9
Sociology
Community and politics
Culture
Autistic adults
Terminology
Autistic savants
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