ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the DSM-V diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum condition (ASC) laid the foundation for the descriptions of ASC. L. Kenny et al.’s study on the preferred terms used to describe ASC from the perspectives of autistic individuals in UK indicated differences between their descriptions and those based on the DSM-V. According to them, ASC should be viewed as a neurodiversity, and not a disorder, as they believed that ASC is a neurological difference with a particular set of strengths rather than deficiencies and dysfunctions. Based on International Classification of Diseases-10, ASC is under the broad category of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), which also includes Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, autistic disorder, or PDD-not otherwise specified. Autistic students experience deficits in social-emotional reciprocity. Common issues that autistic students experience regarding nonverbal communicative behaviours are maintaining appropriate eye contact during interactions with others, understanding gestures, tone of voice, and body language.
