What are Autism Spectrum Disorders?
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), also known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs), cause severe and extensive impairment in thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others. These disorders are usually first diagnosed in early childhood and range from a severe form, called autistic disorder, through pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), to a much milder form, Asperger syndrome. They also include two rare disorders, Rett syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder. Learn More: • Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders) (National Institutes of Mental Health) • Learn the Signs. Act Early.
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), which usually begin during early childhood and last throughout a person’s life, are a group of developmental disabilities that are caused by unusual brain development. ASDs include Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and Asperger Disorder. These three conditions share symptoms but differ in terms of when the symptoms start, how fast they appear, how severe they are, and their exact nature. People with ASDs tend to have problems with social and communication skills, and have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to different sensations.
A1: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), which usually begin during early childhood and last throughout a person’s life, are a group of developmental disabilities that are caused by unusual brain development. ASDs include Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Asperger Disorder. These three conditions share symptoms, but differ in terms of when the symptoms start, how fast they appear, how severe they are and their exact nature. People with ASDs tend to have problems with social and communication skills, and have unusual ways of learning, paying attention or reacting to different sensations.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairments in reciprocal social interaction and communication, and the presence of stereotypic activities and restricted interests. ASDs include: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger disorder, and are part of the larger family of pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) that includes Rett disorder and childhood disintegrative disorder.
