- When should I be concerned?
- How can I understand what is happening?
- What caused this to happen and can this be prevented?
- Which treatments and interventions will help?
- Where can I turn for services?
- What does the future hold, particularly for adults?
- What other infrastructure and surveillance needs must be met?
The section on the future makes sobering observations on the current limits of our knowledge:
Although considerable research has focused on the earliest phase of ASD, through early screening, improved diagnostics and early intervention, far less effort has addressed the adolescent, adult, and older adult phases of life. Minimal guidance exists for people with ASD across the spectrum and their families about the trajectories of ASD across the lifespan. Although the general assumption is that children who possess expressive and receptive language skills and coping strategies and who do not demonstrate significant challenging behaviors can sometimes excel as adults, while children who do not currently possess typical expressive language skills and who engage in significant challenging behavior will grow up to need long-term, 24/7 supports and services, the evidence base for these ideas is lacking. Scientists have not yet identified key prognostic factors or detailed information about how adults across the spectrum with ASD function, where they are, and how they are best supported. [emphasis added]
In a related development, the American Psychiatric Association has postponed the release of the DSM-V until 2013. In April, the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Workgroup tentatively proposed a single diagnosis in place of Autism, PDD-NOS and Asperger disorder.
