Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) affect how the brain functions. Though autism spectrum disorders affect each child differently, all children with Autism Spectrum Disorders share difficulties in 3 areas: social interaction, communication and repetitive behaviors.

The term Autism Spectrum Disorder is not a specific diagnosis. It is a general term that includes the following diagnoses: Autistic Disorder, Asperger Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (including the less common Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett’s Disorder). There are no specific medical tests for diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders. An accurate diagnosis should be based on observation of a child’s behaviors, communication, social skills, and developmental level.