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Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Review

Controversies in autism: is a broader model of social disorders needed?

Authors: Michal Hrdlicka, Iva Dudova

Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

This article examines the most significant, contradictory evidence pertaining to autism. The first section of the article includes reports of recovery from autism, data obtained from studies involving oxytocin, early deprivation, autism in preterm children, late-onset autism, and symptom overlap among ASD, social phobias and personality disorders. In the second section of the article, we offer a model that better incorporates current findings and address controversies that continue to surround ASD. We propose an umbrella term “social inhibition disorders” which integrates autism spectrum disorders and social phobias, as well as schizoid, schizotypal, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. It would also include “quasi-autism,” which has been found in early deprivation studies, autism in preterm children, and cases of late-onset autism presenting after herpes encephalitis infection. Finally, we discuss suggestions for further research and clinical perspectives.

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Title: Controversies in autism: is a broader model of social disorders needed?
Authors: Michal Hrdlicka
Iva Dudova
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1753-2000
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1753-2000-7-9

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Controversies in autism: is a broader model of social disorders needed?

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