What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? (1)
Austism is a developmental disorder with symptoms that appear within the first three years of life. (1)
Autism spectrum disorder is also known as autism. (1)
The word “spectrum” indicates that autism appears in different forms with varying levels of severity. (1)
Autism is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). (1)
What are symptoms of autism?
Individuals with autism may present a range of symptoms, such as:
- Reduced eye contact
- Differences in body language
- Lack of facial expressions
- Not engaging in imaginative play
- Repeating gestures or sounds
- Closely focused interests
- Indifference to temperature extremes
Keep in mind that having these symptoms does not necessarily mean a person has autism. (1)
History
Between 1995 and 2011, the DSM-IV grouped Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) with autism. (1)
Resources
1. https://www.autism.org/what-is-autism/
