Autism Spectrum Disorders:

1. Autism Spectrum Disorders: Putting the Puzzle Together in Florida

2. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Autism is a “lifelong neurological disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate, understand language play and socially interact with others.” Autism is classified as a developmental disability. May involve substantial core deficits in communication and social skills that greatly impact level of functioning. Affected individuals may experience lack of emotion, trouble with basic motor skills, repetitive behaviors or body movement, inability to regulate social interaction, impaired use of non-verbal behavior such as facial expression or eye gaze, and difficulty in language skills. CARD-USF Brochure – What is Autism See, e.g. DSM- IV and Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Introduction to Autism – Self Instruction Manual, 1992 These manifestations may severely affect social interactions, cognitive abilities, communication skills, emotional skills, motor skills, behavior and learning.CARD-USF Brochure – What is Autism See, e.g. DSM- IV and Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Introduction to Autism – Self Instruction Manual, 1992 These manifestations may severely affect social interactions, cognitive abilities, communication skills, emotional skills, motor skills, behavior and learning.

3. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Individuals may have atypical responses to sensory stimulation and to objects or events. Generally, there are issues with intimacy, interactive and expressive communication, and meaningful word use. CARD-USF Brochure – What is Autism See, e.g. DSM- IV and Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Introduction to Autism – Self Instruction Manual, 1992 These manifestations may severely affect social interactions, cognitive abilities, communication skills, emotional skills, motor skills, behavior and learning.CARD-USF Brochure – What is Autism See, e.g. DSM- IV and Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Introduction to Autism – Self Instruction Manual, 1992 These manifestations may severely affect social interactions, cognitive abilities, communication skills, emotional skills, motor skills, behavior and learning.

4. What are Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)? Asperger’s Disorder Autistic Disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS); includes atypical autism The Autism Spectrum Disorders fall under a grouping of 5 conditions known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders as defined in the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual (DSM-IV-TR). Some organizations list these 3 disorders as the Autism Spectrum Disorders (e.g. AAP – www.aap.org). However, some groups also consider Rhett’s Disorder and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, the other 2 Pervasive Developmental Disorders, to be rarer forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders, or use the term “ASD” interchangeably with “PDD” (e.g. National Institutes of Health; National Institutes of Mental Health – http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-pervasive-developmental-disorders/index.shtml). Some people use “autism” as an umbrella term to refer to ASDs, while other people use the word “autism” to refer only to autistic disorder. The Autism Spectrum Disorders fall under a grouping of 5 conditions known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders as defined in the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual (DSM-IV-TR). Some organizations list these 3 disorders as the Autism Spectrum Disorders (e.g. AAP – www.aap.org). However, some groups also consider Rhett’s Disorder and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, the other 2 Pervasive Developmental Disorders, to be rarer forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders, or use the term “ASD” interchangeably with “PDD” (e.g. National Institutes of Health; National Institutes of Mental Health – http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-pervasive-developmental-disorders/index.shtml). Some people use “autism” as an umbrella term to refer to ASDs, while other people use the word “autism” to refer only to autistic disorder.

5. Who Is Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders? All racial/ethnic backgrounds All socio-economic classes Across the world Four times more likely to occur in boys than in girls