HJAR Mar/Apr 2025

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  MAR / APR 2025 9 the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was introduced. 5 The DSM-5 diagnos- tic criteria for ASD is defined by two core features, as follows: “persistent deficits in social communication and social interac- tions across multiple settings and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. These symptoms must be pres- ent in the early developmental period (or may manifest as social demands exceed the child’s capacities). The symptoms must cause clinically significant impairment in functioning and are not better explained by a list of other diagnoses (i.e., intellectual dis- ability, global developmental delay)”(pages 56-57). 5 These are the diagnostic criteria used today. The emerging clarity of the ASD diagno- sis has led to an outgrowth of literature in this field. The number of scholarly articles related to autism has grown exponentially, as have the number of journals dedicated to this topic. From 2005 to 2014, a total of 18,490 articles were published in the field of autism. The majority of these publications are from the U.S., but there is groundbreak- ing research coming from other countries as well. 6 A second layer is that as our research as grown, we are now able to identify more subtle presentations of autism. We can also better associate comorbid medical conditions that can occur with a diagno- sis of autism. More research pointing to a genetic factor in the etiology of autism is coming to light. With this increased research and knowledge, there is more sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing autism. The literature also shows that children can be identified and diagnosed younger. This ear- lier diagnosis allows them to access thera- pies at an age when the brain is better able to show positive outcomes through inter- ventions. 7 This increased precision in diag- nosis has also allowed autistic individuals to better understand their strengths and challenges and to find ways to help sup- port them on their life journey. A third layer is that as information about autism has grown, so has it filtered into the popular culture and social media. This has allowed more families to understand about developmental delays and autism and to seek out evaluations and services. Unfor- tunately, the misinformation about autism has grown as well. There are now families worrying about autism for children who do