What is ASD? - Overview

The word ‘autism’ derives from the Greek word ‘autos’, meaning self. An autistic child can seem to live in their own world.

Autism is a complex neurological developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Aspergers Syndrome, a form of Autism, often will not become obvious until school age or even as late as eight years and beyond. Autism effects the functioning of the brain and can present itself in behaviours such as withdrawal from human contact, ritualistic behaviours, and impaired social and communication abilities.

Children who are diagnosed under the Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) umbrella exhibit similar characteristics in communication and social skills, but differ in terms of specific characteristics and severity.

Within the subcategory known as Autism there are different levels from mild to severe. Some children are very bright and do well at school, but have problems with social adjustment. At the other end of the scale, learning disorders commonly accompany Autism.

“The Autistics live in their own world. Highly functioning autistics live in two worlds: their world and the outside world.” Temple Grandin

Sources
Dorota Koczewska, An Overview of Autism
http://maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu/pub/eres/EDSPC715_MCINTYRE/AutismDSM4cri...