For example, advanced paternal and maternal age and exogenous prenatal risks (e.g., toxic chemicals, the use of valporate) may operate through complex gene-environment interactions during the perinatal period, although specific causal mechanisms remain unclear ( Mandy & Lai, 2016). In addition, a small proportion in the increase in prevalence of ASD may be explained by environmental risk factors. One social work study posits that the increase in prevalence of ASD is partly related to diagnostic substitution, or the idea that the same child who was identified as having another developmental disability (i.e., intellectual disability) in the past is now identified as having ASD ( Shattuck, 2006). Scientists believe that increased prevalence can be explained, in part, by changes in diagnostic criteria, diagnostic substitution, improved awareness in the general public, and increased recognition by clinicians ( Hansen, Schendel, & Parner, 2015 Newschaffer et al., 2007 Shattuck, 2006). This figure represents a 151% increase since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first began to monitor the prevalence of ASD in 2000 ( Christensen et al., 2016). The prevalence of ASD is currently estimated to be 1 in 59 children in the United States ( Baio et al., 2018). Although researchers suspect that biomarkers for ASD exist, there are currently no biomarkers that can be used to diagnose or screen for ASD ( Miles, 2011). ASD is diagnosed by observing behavioral manifestations outlined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( American Psychiatric Association, 2013). By extension, social work researchers have a key role in investigating the diverse experiences of people on the spectrum, with an eye towards developing and testing a continuum of multisystemic interventions, confronting social injustices, and promoting the full and meaningful inclusion in society for those on the autism spectrum.Ĭharacteristics and prevalence of autism spectrum disorderĪSD is a heritable neurodevelopmental disability that is characterized by delayed or inconsistent development in social interaction and communication and a restricted repertoire of activity and interests. Social workers who support individuals on the autism spectrum and their families engage in research, practice, education, and advocacy aimed at supporting individuals on the spectrum and their families, and to help communities enhance their awareness. 1 Using a life course perspective, we argue that the social work profession must make a commitment to engage in research in order to educate a workforce prepared to advocate for a more just and inclusive society for individuals on the autism spectrum. In this article, we highlight the contributions of social work research to date that increase the field’s knowledge about autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This is troubling given that a recent National Association of Social Workers (NASW) report found that 75% of clinical social workers work with people with developmental disabilities during their careers ( NASW, 2006). Notably, while several of these Grand Challenges-including “eradicate social isolation” “build financial capability for all” and “advance long and productive lives,” among others -could apply to people on the autism spectrum, we were unable to identify any specific language or working papers about people on the autism spectrum in the AASWSW literature. The AASWSW Grand Challenges include a set of 12 broad challenges that represent the most compelling and critical contemporary issues ( Uehara et al., 2014). The AASWSW defines Grand Challenges as “ambitious yet achievable goals for society that mobilize the profession, capture the public’s imagination and require innovation and breakthroughs in science and practice to achieve” ( Uehara et al., 2013, p. Recently, the field coalesced around the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare’s (AASWSW) Grand Challenges initiative to use the science of social work to drive social progress ( ). Social work researchers support this mission by harnessing a set of methodologies and theoretical frameworks aimed at promoting human and societal change, both broadly and for specific vulnerable populations ( Brekke, 2012). Aligned with a deep-seated commitment to social justice, the contemporary mission of the social work profession is to increase opportunity and inclusion for the most vulnerable among us.
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