Exploring the Psychological Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children: Diagnosis, Development, and Intervention Strategies

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17617382

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with lifelong implications for children and their families. Globally, approximately 0.77% of children are diagnosed with ASD, with boys showing higher prevalence (1.14%) compared to girls (PubMed, 2024). The World Health Organization (2021) estimates that nearly 1 in 127 individuals worldwide live with autism, translating to over 61.8 million people globally (Healthdata.org, 2024) In Asia, prevalence is reported around 6 per 1,000 children, with significant diagnostic delays due to limited awareness and stigma (Wiley, 2023). Psychological foundations of ASD have been widely studied, with executive function models linking rigidity and transition difficulties to impairments in cognitive flexibility and planning, while sensory processing models emphasize atypical sensory reactivity shaping social and behavioral challenges (Cheong et al., 2025). This paper explores diagnostic practices, developmental trajectories, and culturally relevant interventions such as Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI), parent-mediated therapies, and adapted cognitive- behavioral approaches. By integrating recent global and Asian data with psychological models, this study highlights the urgent need for early detection, culturally sensitive assessment, and evidence-based interventions to improve developmental outcomes for children with ASD.