Positive outcome with neurofeedback treatment in a case of child with mild Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Autism is a neurological disorder characterized by a lack of appropriate eye contact, facial expression, social interaction, communication, and restricted repetitive behavior. Autism Spectrum Disorder represents a group of disorders, including Autism, PDD-NOS, Rett's Disorder, Child Disintegrative Disorder and Asperger?s Disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). According to DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000), qualitative impairments in social interaction is one of the defining characteristics for the diagnosis of Autistic Disorder. Social impairments can include: lack of use of nonverbal behaviors such as eye gaze, gestures, body postures and facial expressions; lack of social-emotional reciprocity; impairment in expression of pleasure in the happiness of others; and a lack of interaction with peers, including an absence of symbolic or imaginative play activities (APA, 2000). This core impairment has led some to identify social deficits as the “heart” of Autism Spectrum Disorders (Gutstein, 2005).