Autism, also called autistic disorder, is a complex developmental disability that appears in early childhood, usually before age 3. Autism prevents children and adolescents from interacting normally with other people and affects almost every aspect of their social and psychological development.
A developmental disorder that is present prior to the age of 3 that affects normal development of communication and social skills. Other behaviors that may be present include preoccupation with parts of objects, hand or finger flapping (self-stimulating behavior), body rocking or self-injurious behavior.
A chronic developmental disorder usually diagnosed between 18 and 30 months of age. Symptoms include problems with social interaction and communication as well as repetitive interests and activities. At this time, the cause of autism is not known although many experts believe it to be a genetically based disorder that occurs before birth.
A variable developmental disorder that appears by age three and is characterized by impairment of the ability to form normal social relationships, by impairment of the ability to communicate with others, and by stereotyped behavior patterns.
A condition characterized by self-absorption, inability to interact socially, repetitive behavior, and language dysfunction.
A developmental disorder involving deficits in social interaction, impaired communication, and restricted interests. go to glossary index
Autism: "Pervasive developmental disorder marked by severe interruption of social interaction. Individuals with autism are often described as being severely withdrawn, being rigidly dependent on routine, avoiding social contact, and showing repetitive, stereotypic behaviors." (p. 524-525, Lloyd, Fuller & Arvidson, 1998) Learn more at http://www.autism.clarityconnect.com/kellysm/ Click "BACK" on your browser to return to the previous page.
a severe childhood disorder involving extreme social isolation, difficulty communicating, bizarre behavior, echolalia, limited mental abilities, and delayed development; a special education category for such children
a developmental behavior disorder that is evident prior to age 3 and is characterized by language and communication difficulties, social withdrawal, and repetitive behaviors such as rocking.
A complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.
(au·tism) NOUN: According to the Autism Society of America, autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism and its associated behaviors have been estimated to occur in as many as 2 to 6 in 1,000 individuals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2001). Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.
A neurological childhood disorder that can cause difficulties in communication and social interaction, preoccupation with fantasy, language impairment, and abnormal behavior. Go Back to Start Page
The essential feature of Autism or Autistic Disorder is the presence of markedly abnormal or impaired development in social interaction, social communication and imagination, together with a very restricted range of activity and interests.
A syndrome characterized by impairment in communication skills and reciprocal social orientation/interaction, extreme resistance to change and/or control, preoccupation with inappropriate use of objects, and unusual motor patterns.
A syndrome identified by a failure to develop normal verbal and nonverbal communication skills and reduced responsiveness to others within the environment. Bruxism Teeth grinding, a habit which usually occurs at night but which is related to malocclusion (poor teeth relationship) and possibly swallowing or biting problem.
The student has been diagnosed with autism, a developmental disability affecting verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction, that adversely affects educational performance.
A mental disorder which impairs a person’s ability to relate to others and affects how she or he perceives and processes sensory information. Autism is a lifelong condition; people with autism can benefit from therapy and sometimes medication.
Coming soon. We'll likely put up a seperate page on this, as it doesn't lend itself to a one-paragraph definition. For now, look at the 'What is Autism' page at autistics.org, as it's a Lot better than any dictionary definition out there.
A rare syndrome, appearing in childhood, characterised by a withdrawn state, a lack of social responsiveness or interest in others, serious communicative and linguistic impairments, and a failure to develop normal attachments, all frequently accompanied by a variety of bizarre ways of responding to the enviroment, usually including a fascination with inanimate objects and an insistence on routine, order, and sameness. Onset prior to 30 months of age. Sometimes the term is only used to refer to autistic disorder but more often it refers to all of the autistic spectrum or as a general term for developmental disorders in the pervasive developmental disorders category of the DSM-IV.
is a severely incapacitating life long developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain.
Is a brain disorder that typically affects a person’s ability to communicate, form relationships with others, and respond appropriately to the environment. Some people with autism are relatively high-functioning, with speech and intelligence intact. Others are mentally retarded, mute, or have serious language delays. For some, autism makes them seem closed off and shut down; others seem locked into repetitive behaviors and rigid patterns of thinking. Some are painfully sensitive to sound, touch, sight or smell.
Also called infantile autism or autistic disorder, is a lifelong disorder that causes abnormal neurological development. Autism causes impaired social interaction, communication difficulties, and restricted or repetitive activities and interests.
A disorder of pervasive developmental delay in social interaction, language, and play behavior that begins before age three. The disorder is characterized by profound impairment in verbal and nonverbal behavior, the absence of age-appropriate play behavior, and stereotyped repetitive motor behaviors.
A disorder characterized by extreme social withdrawal, self-stimulation, cognitive deficits, and/or language disorders; and onset before the age of thirty months. This developmental disability is often characterized by deficiencies in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction, and play activities.
Autism is a developmental disability with a neurological basis. Autism results in significant challenges in communication and social interactions. Autism is the most severe form of a spectrum of disorders called Pervasive Developmental Disorders in which a person's higher order intellectual functions are significantly impacted. Excellent programs have been developed to help individuals with Autism reach their potential. See the Geneva Centres website for further information.
(psychiatry) an abnormal absorption with the self; marked by communication disorders and short attention span and inability to treat others as people
a developmental disease characterized by a spectrum of symptoms ranging from decreased verbal skills and social withdrawal, to repetitive behavior and violent outbursts
a developmental disease usually manifesting within the first three years of life
a developmental disorder of unknown neurologic basis
a syndrome characterized by impairments in social relatedness and communication, repetitive behaviors, abnormal movements, and sensory dysfunction
pathological “self-absorption
A developmental disability that significantly affects verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction and that adversely affects educational performance. Characteristics include irregularities and impairments in communication, engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines and unusual responses to sensory experiences. Autism does not include children with characteristics of emotional disability as defined in this section. (A.R.S. §15-761)
a neurological developmental disability that results in limited cognitive abilities: the autistic individual is limited in ability to learn inductively from surrounding events. Social interactions and many kinds of conceptual learning can be strongly limited. At the same time, the autistic individual may be outstandingly good at some kinds of mental manipulations, such as, for example, arithmetical calculations.
developmental disability that can cause problems with communication, social interaction and routine/repetitive behaviors. Although not diagnosed at birth, autism probably has origins in prenatal development and therefore is a type of birth defect.
A disorder which is under the category of “Pervasive Developmental Disorders”. Children with autism typically have delayed language, tend to be “literal” or “concrete”, and have difficulty interacting with others and figuring out social situations. Specialists may say they suspect that a child is on the “spectrum”, which means the child may show one or more symptoms of a PDD disorder (Autism, Asperger's, ADD, ADHD...).
The Condition"...It is a complex disorder of the central nervous system that affects many different expressions of brain development, including social interactions and communications..."
a disability; characterized by severe language and communication deficits, lack of normal relatedness, bizarre movement and self-stimulatory patterns, lack of normal handling of toys and other objects, and lack of most normal functional skills.
A pervasive developmental disorder that starts within the first 3 years of life and is characterised by three main features: marked disturbance in social interactions, delayed or disordered speech or language, and repetitive , restricted or stereotyped patterns of behaviour or interests. In the majority of cases, autism is also associated with moderate or sever learning disabilities.
g. A severe disorder of thinking, communication, interpersonal relationship and behavior. ¦Û³¬¯g¬O¤@ºØ¥ý¤Ñ©Êµo®i»Ùê¡C®Ú3/4Ú¬ü°êºë¯«3/4Ç·|(American Psychiatric Association)ªº¬É©w¡A¦Û³¬¨àµ£¦³¤T¤jµo®i»Ùê¡G(a)ªÀ¥æ¯à¤Oµo®i»Ùê¡F(b)·3/4³q¯à¤Oµo®i»Ùê¡F(c)¯U¹i¡B«1/2ƩʤΩw«¬ªº¦æ¬°1/4Ò¦¡©M¿³1/2ì¡C³o¨Ç1/4xª¬¦b¨àµ£3·³«e«K·|¥X²{¡C
Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. In the great majority of cases, autistic disorders are present from birth or become apparent within the first three years of life. People with typical autism have no interest in social interaction, little or no language, and tend to live in their own world. Asperger's syndrome often applies to those who are more able, who have better language development, and who have more social contact. Asperger's syndrome may first come to notice in adult life.
a developmental disability in which children have abnormal communication, impaired social and emotional relationships, and repetitive limited behaviors.
A neurological disorder characterized by communication deficiencies, sensory integration dysfunction, and a lack of social ability.
Autism is a developmental disability that affects a person's ability to communicate, understand language, play and interact with others. Autism is a behavioral syndrome, which means that its definition is based on patterns of behavior that a person exhibits. Individuals with autism vary widely in ability and personality. It is a neurological disability that although it affects the functioning of the brain, the specific cause is unknown. Autism Spectrum Disorder encompasses a broad definition of autism that includes related disabilities such as Asperger Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
( Tabula Rasa, The Boy Who Wanted to be a Robot) A developmental neurological condition, usually appearing by age three, which is characterized by a difficulty in social communication and interaction. Most interests tend to be reclusive, and often the interests are fixated on a single subject matter. Autistics usually exhibit stimming—repetitive, self stimulating behavior such as rocking or tapping. Language development is often delayed. Autistics also often display great sensitivity to outside stimuli, such as noises. Sometimes autism is accompanied by great facility in math or music or memory.
From early childhood there is severe impairment in communication and social interactions, and actions are often repetitive and unchanging
A childhood disorder characterized by withdrawal from people, repetitive behaviors, and impaired communication.
brain disorder that begins in early childhood and persists throughout adulthood; affects three crucial areas of development: communication, social interaction, and creative or imaginative play.
the abnormal development of language, social, and motor skills. As opposed to P.D.D., language and social development remains profoundly deficient.
someone who has lost or never achieved contact with other people, demonstrating stereotyped repetitive behaviour such as twirling objects or rocking. Other characteristics are indifferent to parents or other people, an inability to tolerate change, and defective speech or mutism. They are severely intellectually impaired although they may have islets of above average talent (music, drawing, mathematical calculation abilities, etc.). The behaviour can be described as being driven by pre-mammalian templates that should have superseded them have not developed properly.
A neurological and developmental disorder that usually appears during the first three years of life, characterized by impaired social interaction, communication and behavior.
A condition caused by a physical disorder of the brain that appears during the first three years of life. Symptoms include disturbances in physical, social and language skills; abnormal responses to sensations; and abnormal ways of relating to people, objects and events.
Autism is a neurological disorder of the brain that may result in difficulties with communication and social interaction as well as repetitive behaviors. Autistic traits vary in severity. Also known as autism spectrum disorder.
A developmental disability which affects communication and behavior; usually detected before age 3.
Disorder in the brain that affects both verbal and nonverbal communication (speaking and non-speaking) skills.
A psycho-neurological disorder which is usually diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Impaired development in social interaction, communication and behavior.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that prevents individuals from properly understanding what they see, hear, and otherwise sense. This results in severe problems in social relationships, communication and behavior (From TEACCH website).
A childhood disorder that usually appears before the age of 30 months that is characterized by withdrawal, self-stimulation, language and learning disorders.
A spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication, and unusual and repetitive behavior. Some, but not all, people with autism are non-verbal. See the entire definition of Autism
A developmental brain disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life. It affects brain areas controlling language, social interaction and abstract thought. Children and adults with autism typically have deficiencies in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions.
"Normally, the liver produces the normal copper protein, ceruloplasmin, which stores copper in the blood serum and prevents excess absorption. Ferritin, the iron-containing protein is made similarly. Any abnormality which results in inadequate ceruloplasmin, or ferritin, could allow excess copper or iron to be absorbed, which would affect the brain. Both of these metals (copper and iron) are stimulants to the brain and might produce hyperactivity and/or autism." (Pfeiffer)
a disturbance, believed to be caused by genetic factors and brain damage, that affects a person’s mental, social, and emotional development. Autistic children may be withdrawn and show little interest in others or in typical childhood activities. Though autism is a lifelong condition, good training programs can reduce the severity of its symptoms.
A developmental disablity caused by a neurological dysfunction. One of five disorders found under the umbrella name of pervasive developmental disorders. The disorder severely impairs behavior, social interactions, and language. Autistic support - Services delivered by educational professionals to children with a diagnosis of autism; these support services are designed to maximize the social and educational potentials of the child. Back to Resources for Parents and Professionals
A developmental disability that significantly affects verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, that is generally evident before three years of age, and that adversely affects a child's educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environment change or to change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. The term does not apply if a child's educational performance is adversely affected primarily because the child has a serious emotional disturbance.
a developmental disorder characterised by abnormal or impaired social interaction and communication and a markedly restricted repertoire ot activity and interests.
Developmental disability that affects communication and social interaction, adversely affects educational performance, is generally evident before age 3. Children with autism often engage in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resist environmental change or change in daily routines, and have unusual responses to sensory experiences.
A childhood psychiatric disorder marked by insufficient communication and social interaction, an enhanced fantasy world, speech impediment, and abnormal behavior. Usually associated with mental impairment.
A lifelong disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to other people. It usually involves poor social interaction, poor social communication and limited imagination.
a developmental disability affecting social interaction and verbal/nonverbal communication; a spectrum disorder
A biological disorder of the brain that impairs a personâ€(tm)s communication and social skills. An abnormality in interpersonal relationships exhibited in early childhood and characterized by self-absorption to the detriment of influence by external reality.
A lifelong, non-progressive neurological disorder typically appearing before the age of three years. It is characterized by language and communication deficits, withdrawal from social contacts, and extreme reactions to changes in the immediate environment.
Autism is a developmental disorder that usually appears by age 3. Some symptoms include: difficulty in forming sentences, difficulty in forming social relationships and impairment in communicating with others.
Impaired interaction and social behavior disease that occurs before age 3.
A developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age 3.
Autism is a developmental disability that appears before age three. It is characterized by qualitative differences in the areas of social competence and communication skills. Individuals with autism typically demonstrate a narrow range of interests, repeatedly engage in specific activities, and experience difficulties processing sensory input from the surrounding environment. Common behaviors include: a tendency to avoid social contact, a tendency to become upset by changes in routine, and an inability to effectively communicate.
NAS A lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. Children and adults with autism are unable to relate to others in a meaningful way. Their ability to develop friendships is impaired, as is their capacity to understand other people's feelings. All people with autism have impairments in social interactions, social communication and imagination. This is referred to as the triad of impairments.
a neurological and developmental disorder that usually appears during the first three years of life. A child with autism appears to live in his/her own world, showing little interest in others, and a lack of social awareness. The focus of an autistic child is a consistent routine and includes an interest in repeating odd and peculiar behaviors. Autistic children often have problems in communication, avoid eye contact, and show limited attachment to others.
A neurological disability affecting a person’s ability to communicate, understand language, play and socially interact with others. The first signs of autism usually appear as developmental delays before age three.
Disorder characterized by abnormal social interaction and communication. ( learn more)
a mental disorder characterised by an inability to relate to other people and extreme withdrawal
Autism is classified by the World Health Organization and American Psychological Association as a developmental disability that results from a disorder of the human central nervous system. It is diagnosed by impairments to social interaction, communication, interests, imagination and activities. However, the causes, symptoms, etiology, treatment and other issues are controversial.