What are autism spectrum disorders?

Not until the middle of the twentieth century was there a name for a disorder that now appears toaffect an estimated 1 out of every 500 children, a disorder that causes disruption in families andunfulfilled lives for many children.

Autism Guide: The Essential Guide To Autism

1. History of autism spectrum disorders
   
   History of autism spectrum disorders. The word “autism” was first used by Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler in a 1912 issue of theAmerican Journal of Insanity.
2. What does pervasive mean?
   
   Pervasive means ‘deeply penetrating.’ It involves a disorder that digs deep into the developmentof a person in many areas of life.
3. Myths surrounding Autism
   
   Autism is puzzling even to experts, so it is little wonder that it has given rise to many myths andmisconceptions
4. What are the general symptoms of autism
   
   All children with ASD demonstrate deficits in:.social interaction,verbal and nonverbal and communication, and repetitive behaviors or interests.
5. Classic autism - autism disorder
   
   In children with these pervasive developmental disorders there is substantial delay incommunication and social interaction associated with the development of “restricted, repetitiveand stereotyped” behavior, interests, and activities.
6. Asperger syndrome
   
   Asperger syndrome. Asperger is one of five pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) and is characterized bydeficiencies in social and communication skills. It is differentiated from other PDDs in that aperson with Asperger also has normal to above normal intelligence and standard languagedevelopment compared with classical autism. The diagnosis of Asperger syndrome is complicatedby the lack of a standard diagnostic screening instrument.
7. PDD-NOS
   
   PDD-NOS is a ‘sub threshold’ condition, in which some symptoms of autism or a similar pervasivedevelopmental disorder can be identified, while other symptoms cannot. Especially common isdifficulty interacting with peers.
8. Rett syndrome
   
   Rett syndrome is a progressive neurological disorder. The symptoms of this disorder are easilyconfused with those of cerebral palsy. The clinical diagnosis specifies a small head and small handsand feet. Stereotypical repetitive hand movements such as mouthing or wringing of the hands arealso included as diagnostic signs. Symptoms of the disease include learning disorders and a totalinability to socialize. Girls with Rett syndrome are very prone to seizures and gastrointestinaldisorders. They typically have no verbal skills, and about 50% of females are ambulatory.
9. Childhood disintegrative disorder
   
   Childhood disintegrative disorder. Children with this pervasive developmental disorder appear to develop normally for the first twoyears of their lives, but then lose skills in areas such as language, play, and bowel control, andmanifest impaired social interaction and communication associated with “restrictive, repetitive,stereotyped” behaviors.
10. Other related syndromes-disorders. Multiple-complex Developmental Disorder
    
    Other related syndromes/disorders. Multiple-complex Developmental Disorder