What is Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism, or Autistic Spectrum Disorder, is a developmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates with and relates to the people around them. It is usually first noticed when a child reaches the age of about three and is basically identified by considering the ‘triad of impairments’. These are three areas of difficulty for the autistic person and are social relationships, communication, and imagination and planning. The autistic person may appear aloof and indifferent to those around them. They may be sociable with one person, but unable to function in a group. Communication difficulties include no understanding or use of verbal or non-verbal communication. A common characteristic is an unwillingness to look people in the eye. Impairment of imagination may lead to limited, repetitive play, copying others or problems discerning between fact and fantasy. A diagnosis of autism must address all three of these areas and there is a whole range (hence the term autistic spectrum) o
