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. Autism is usually considered on a spectrum ranging from the more severe autistic disorder usually detected early in a child's life, to high functioning autism which may not be identified until later.
A complex developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. The term autistic spectrum is often used because the condition varies from person to person; some people with the condition may also have accompanying learning disabilities, while others are much more able with average or above average intelligence. Despite the wide-ranging differences, everyone with a disorder on the spectrum has difficulty with interaction, social interaction and imagination.
Children who show some, but not all, of the features of classical autism.
Autism can happen in people with different degrees of learning difficulties as well as in people of average intelligence, for example, those who have Asperger's syndrome. Because of this wide range, we talk about a spectrum of autistic disorder.
Autistic spectrum disorders are characterised by difficulties interacting and communicating. The characteristics of autism can be described as the 'triad of impairment': Socialisation - poor social skills; Communication - difficulties with speech language and communication; Imagination - rigid thought and resistance to change. The commonly used terms 'autism' and 'asperger's syndrome' are autistic spectrum disorders.