Autism & Related Disabilities is a developmental disorder that affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. It is also known as a complex developmental disability. Austin Journal of Autism & Related Disabilities is an open access, peer reviewed scholarly journal committed to publication of unique contributions concerned with Autism & Related Disabilities. Austin Journal of Autism & Related Disabilities accepts original research articles, review articles, case reports, clinical images and rapid communication on all the aspects of Autism & Related Disabilities.

2. WHAT IS AUTISM?
Autism impacts normal development of the
brain in areas of social interaction and
communication skills.
Difficult to communicate with others and
relate to the outside world.
Occasionally, aggressive and/or self-
injurious behavior may be present.

3. BEHAVIOUR OF AUTISM
AFFECTED PERSON
May exhibit repeated body movements
(hand flapping, rocking).
Unusual responses to people
Attachment to objects
Resistance to change in routine
Sensory sensitivities

4. TYPES OF AUTISM
 Autistic disorder
 Asperger’s disorder
 Pervasive developmental disorder
 Rett’s disorder
 Childhood disintegrative disorder

5. 1. Autistic Disorder
Impairments in social interaction,
communication, and imaginative play.
Apparent before age 3.
Also includes stereotyped behaviors,
interests, and activities

6. 2. Asperger’s Disorder
Impairments in social interactions, and
presence of restricted interests and activities
No clinically significant general delay in
language
Average to above average intelligence

7. 3. Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not
Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
Often referred to as atypical autism
Used when a child does not meet the criteria
for a specific diagnosis, but there is severe
and pervasive impairment in specified
behaviors

8. 4. Rett’s Disorder
Progressive disorder which, to date, has
only occurred in girls.
Period of normal development and then the
loss of previously acquired skills
Also loss of purposeful use of hands, which
is replaced by repetitive hand movements
Beginning at age of 1-4 years

9. 5. Childhood Disintegrative
Disorder
Normal development for at least first 2
years
Then significant loss of previously acquired
skills

10. CAUSES OF AUTISM
Good agreement in general that autism is
caused by abnormalities in brain
development, neurochemistry, and genetic
factors

11. DIAGNOSIS
No definitive medical test
Team uses interviews, observation, and
specific checklists developed for this
purpose.
Team might include neurologist,
psychologist, developmental pediatrician,
speech/language therapist, learning
consultant etc.