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| What is Autism? |
disability. This affects:
Autism is the most common neurological disorder affecting children and one of the most
common developmental disabilities affecting Canadians. ASDs change the way the brain
processes information and can affect all aspects of a person's development. Classic
autism usually appears during the first three years of life. Autism is four times more
common in boys than girls.
There are in fact five Autism Spectrum Disorders described under this diagnostic
category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) that appear in the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) of the American Psychiatric Association.
When speaking of ASDs, most people are referring to three of the PDDs that are
most common:
There are Five Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs)
Some people with autism demonstrate significantly challenging behaviours; most need
specialist support and care.
Related Conditions:
Several other medical conditions also include some features of PDD, such as Down
Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Landau-Kleffner Syndrome,
William's Syndrome or Tourette's Syndrome but PDD does not actually include these
medical conditions.
- Communication
- Behaviour, activities & interests
Autism is the most common neurological disorder affecting children and one of the most
common developmental disabilities affecting Canadians. ASDs change the way the brain
processes information and can affect all aspects of a person's development. Classic
autism usually appears during the first three years of life. Autism is four times more
common in boys than girls.
There are in fact five Autism Spectrum Disorders described under this diagnostic
category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) that appear in the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) of the American Psychiatric Association.
When speaking of ASDs, most people are referring to three of the PDDs that are
most common:
- Autistic Disorder (also called autism, classic autism and AD)
- PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified)
- Asperger's Disorder (also called AS, Asperger's Syndrome and Asperger
Syndrome)
There are Five Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs)
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
- Rett's Disorder (RD)
- Autistic Disorder (AD)
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
- Asperger's Syndrome (AS)
Some people with autism demonstrate significantly challenging behaviours; most need
specialist support and care.
Related Conditions:
Several other medical conditions also include some features of PDD, such as Down
Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Landau-Kleffner Syndrome,
William's Syndrome or Tourette's Syndrome but PDD does not actually include these
medical conditions.