What is autistic disorder and how does it differ from autism spectrum disorders?
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) refers to neurodevelopmental disabilities characterized by impairments in social relationships and communication, with excessively narrow interests and/or repetitive routines. ASDs include Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified and Asperger’s Disorder. Autistic Disorder is a type of autism spectrum disorder characterized by a combination of qualitative impairment in social interaction, qualitative impairments in communication and restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, with an onset prior to 36 months of age. Autistic Disorder differs from PDD-NOS in that PDD-NOS is used when there is a severe and pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal social interaction associated with impairment in either verbal and nonverbal communication skills, OR with the presence of stereotyped behavior, interests, and activities. In other words communication dysfunction AND repetiti
