What are Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders include Asperger's Syndrome, Autism, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). These disorders fall under the global heading of Pervasive Developmental Disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders include Rett's Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorders.

Autism spectrum disorders appear to be genetic and have a neurobiological basis. While characteristics are not always apparent at birth, symptoms appear in the first few years of life. For those diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome or high-functioning autism, an accurate diagnosis may occur later in life. Even though all share a set of behavioral characteristics, each child or adult exhibits symptoms and characteristics very differently. Autism is referred to as a spectrum disorder to signify these differences among a group of people who share a common diagnosis.

An accurate diagnosis is made when an individual displays a certain number of behavioral characteristics related to communication, social skills, and restricted and repetitive interests and behaviors as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association. For example:

• Some individuals have extensive vocabularies, while others have limited or no speech. Regardless, children and adults have difficulty communicating wants, needs and desires, and understanding communication.
• Engaging in social interactions, as well as play and leisure activities in an appropriate fashion, presents a challenge for most.
• Individuals often demonstrate a narrow range of interests, prefer to repeatedly engage in specific activities, resist changes in routine, and experience difficulties in regulating sensory input from the surrounding environment.
• For some, challenging behaviors such as refusal, physical aggression or self-injurious behavior may occur.

Other disabilities can accompany an autism spectrum disorder. These disabilities include mental retardation, learning disabilities, visual impairments, hearing impairments, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette Syndrome, epilepsy, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety disorders, Fragile X and others.

These differences make it difficult for the person to easily negotiate the demands and expectations of society. However, children and adults within the autism spectrum can and do live productive and meaningful lives when provided with appropriate programs and supports.

It is estimated that 2 to 6 per 1,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorders, making this one of the most common disabilities and also one of the fastest growing.