Autism:

Autism, recognized in DSM-5 as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how individuals process information — often restricting interests and eliciting unusual and repetitive behaviors. People with autism have difficulties learning, interacting and communicating with others, moving. They often experience sensitivity or discomfort from sensory stimulation, such as certain lights/sounds or from an overload of sensory stimulation. Most autistic symptoms appear by ages 2-3. Some infants develop normally at first and then, at 18-24 months, seem to regress as symptoms appear. Boys are 4X more likely to develop autism than girls. The frequency of diagnosis has surged over the past 20 years. It’s not clear whether the incidence is increasing, experts are more aware, or diagnosis includes lesser degrees of impairment. Because autism symptoms vary in severity, the condition is considered a spectrum condition, consisting of 5 previously separate diagnoses: Asperger’s Syndrome, autistic disorders, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), childhood disintegrative disorder, and Rett’s syndrome.