Autism impacts normal brain development in areas of social interaction and communication. People with autism may exhibit repetitive behaviors, unusual responses to people, attachment to objects, and resistance to change in routine. The main types of autism are autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, Rett's disorder, and childhood disintegrative disorder, which are distinguished based on levels of impairment and when symptoms begin. While there is no definitive medical test, autism is diagnosed by a team using interviews, observations, and checklists to evaluate social skills, communication, and restricted or repetitive behaviors.

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.