A report by the Autism Society of America states that nearly 400,000 people in the United States have some form of autism. Autism is a developmental disability of the brain. Though commonly assumed to be mental retardation, autism is not classified as mental retardation because some people affected by autism are quite intelligent. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), also called autism spectrum condition (ASC) and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), is a group of disorders which share a common feature.

The three main forms of ASD are:

• Autism
• Asperger Syndrome
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (commonly referred to as PDD-NOS), also known as “atypical autism.”

While autism is at the core of ASD, those diagnosed with ASD may also have signs and symptoms of Asperger syndrome. This differentiates the patient from normal autism characteristics in that there is no delay in language development. On the other hand, they may have PDD-NOS, in which the patient is diagnosed with autism but exhibits symptoms that are not associated with any one specific disorder.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified can cause a severe impairment in the ability to think, feel, speak, and relate to others.

Alternatively, a person who exhibits signs of autism (such as repetitive use of language or the inability to make eye contact) but does not have ASD may be recognized as someone with a broader autism phenotype (BAP), which is not as severe as ASD and has adaptive value.

The characteristics of ASD include but are not limited to: The inability to socialize and communicate with others, restricted and/or repetitive actions, atypical eating habits, and unusual abilities such as the knack for remembering exact dates and times of certain events or gifted with a rare talent.

It is usually the parents who first notice that their child may have ASD. It is typically noticed during the first two years of a child’s life. Symptoms to watch out for are slow language development or ability to speak, the child losing interest in socializing with others, the common practice of repeating actions, and focusing on an object for a long period of time.

If you suspect your child may have autism or ASD, talk to your physician as soon as possible. Early diagnosis is crucial; children diagnosed before age 3 respond better to treatment and intervention. If your suspicions are validated by the physician, a series of tests will be conducted and the doctor will use the Autism Rating Scale such as the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT) or Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS). Note that ASD is usually diagnosed at a much later age.

For more information: Autism Speaks and the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation.