What is Autism?

Autism is a life-long developmental disability that typically (also see Aspergers) appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the brain, it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Autism affects communication, social skills, pattern and range of interests, and sensory responsiveness. Autism is a spectrum disorder meaning the symptoms and characteristics of autism can be present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe. Although autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and adults with autism can exhibit any combination of the behaviors in any degree of severity.

Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorders - ASD) falls under the category of Pervasive Developmental Disorder and includes the following:

Autistic Disorder impairments in social interaction, communication, and imaginative play prior to age 3 years. Stereotyped behaviors, interests and activities.

Asperger's Disorder characterized by impairments in social interactions and the presence of restricted interests and activities, with no clinically significant general delay in language, and testing in the range of average to above average intelligence.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) (commonly referred to as atypical autism) a diagnosis of PDD-NOS may be made when a child does not meet the criteria for a specific diagnosis, but there is a severe and pervasive impairment in specified behaviors.

Rett's Disorder a progressive disorder. Period of normal development and then loss of previously acquired skills, loss of purposeful use of the hands replaced with repetitive hand movements beginning at the age of 1-4 years.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder characterized by normal development for at least the first two years, significant loss of previously acquired skills.