Week 33: Autism Awareness

This Monday, April 30, we will dress in all blue!  Are you aware of how Autism Spectrum Disorder is present in our every day lives? 

What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?

Autism is a group of developmental brain disorders, collectively called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The term "spectrum" refers to the wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment, or disability, that children with ASD can have. Some children are mildly impaired by their symptoms, but others are severely disabled.
ASD is diagnosed according to guidelines listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition - Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR).¹ The manual currently defines five disorders, sometimes called pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), as ASD:

• Autistic disorder (classic autism)
• Asperger's disorder (Asperger syndrome)
• Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
• Rett's disorder (Rett syndrome)
• Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD).

What are the symptoms of ASD?

What are some other conditions that children with ASD may have?

How Common Is Autism?