[Deconstructing Kanner].

Kanner, in 1943, and Asperger, in 1944, published papers that have been considered the first descriptions of autism. Kanner is acknowledged as having been the first to recognise this condition, while Asperger is attributed with the identification of a milder form of autism which has been denominated Asperger's syndrome. Kanner's paper played an important role in the development of the conceptualisation of autism due to its being published in the United States, where it became popular in the field of child psychiatry.

[Autisms that 'cure themselves'].

Introduction: Research into autism, based mainly on the categorical model in the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, has focused above all on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, cognitive mechanisms and the biological-environmental determining factors. Yet, little attention has been paid to the developmental trajectories, which play a decisive role when it comes to establishing a medium- and long-term prognosis.

Aims: The purpose of this study is to review the developmental course of children diagnosed with autism who, despite preserving behavioural traits consistent with the initial profile in the medium- and long-term, accomplish a satisfactory social and occupational adaptation, and additionally no longer meet the criteria that gave rise to the initial diagnosis.

[Vulnerability to self-harm in autism].

Introduction: The reasons underlying self-harm in persons with autism do not appear to have a single, straightforward and simple explanation. Biological predisposition, certain psychological states involving stress, atypical sensory processing, communication disorders, medical problems, and limited emotional regulation, among others, can lead persons with autism to harm themselves.

Aims: In this article a distinction is drawn, first of all, between self-harm related to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, and self-harm linked to other psychiatric conditions.

[Autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: convergences and divergences. Genetics].

According to the DSM-5, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are different conditions that earlier versions of the DSM stated could not be diagnosed together in the same individual. Yet, over the last few decades the debate on the limits between the two disorders has continued, even though ADHD and ASD are undoubtedly clinically and cognitively different phenotypes, as demonstrated by the simple fact that they have been defined in clearly different ways. Thus, from a perspective anchored in a purely phenomenological view, there would be no grounds whatsoever on which to question the independence between the two disorders.

[The genetic bases of neurodevelopmental disorders].

In the last decade, progress made in genetics is questioning the current implicit nosological model in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) and the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision. Both the categorical nature and the comorbidity detected on applying diagnostic criteria become unsustainable in the light of the genetic architecture that is emerging from studies being conducted on the genetics of mental disorders. The classical paradigms -one gene for one disease- or even a specific distinctive genetic pattern for each condition, are concepts restricted to specific cases.

[Autism and vaccinations: the end?].

Introduction: Of the different theories explaining the aetiology of autism, one that has achieved widespread popularity among the general public is the involvement of the MMR vaccine as the causation of autism. The connection between vaccines and autism rests upon two theories. On the one hand, the anti-measles fraction of the vaccine is attributed with the development of an enteropathy due to malabsorption, which would facilitate the absorption of toxic neuropeptides and the effects of this process on the brain would favour the appearance of autism.

[Early care of neurodevelopmental disorders. Advantages of early intervention in neurodevelopmental disorders Early care of neurodevelopmental disorders. Advantages of early intervention in neurodevelopmental disorders].

Introduction: The model of early assistance implemented in our country is defined and developed in the White Paper on Early Intervention (Libro Blanco de Atencion Temprana). This model refers to a set of interventions aimed at children with neurodevelopmental problems between 0 and 6 years of age. Aims and development.

[Borderline intellectual capacity and executive dysfunction].

Introduction: Borderline intellectual capacity (BIC) is defined by the detection of an intelligence quotient of between 71 and 84. In most cases, the diagnosis of BIC only represents the appreciation of one characteristic measured by intelligence tests. Thus, in most patients with BIC there is an underlying disorder that has helped to configure an intelligence quotient within the borderline range.