What is the definition of autism spectrum disorders?
The term “autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)” refers to a wide range of developmental disorders and includes five classifications. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 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’s syndrome. They also include two rare disorders, Rett syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder. Each of these disorders has a specific set of characteristics used as criteria for diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM IV) of the American Psychiatric Association. It is important to understand that individuals can share common characteristics on the spectrum, yet ASD is unique to the individual and will be different for every person.
