Special Education Resource Guide Disability Fact Sheet Autism and Related Disorders and Disabilities 1) and list autism spectrum disorders. (Also known as pervasive dovulopmental disorders-PDD). 2) Describe characteristics of students with autism and related disorders and disabilities (autism spectrum disorders). 3) Discuss cause(s) of autism and/or related disorders and disabilities. 4) Discuss five techniques or strategies that can be used by Instructional Assistants to support students with autism and/or related disorders and disabilities..