Autism spectrum disorders: a lifetime of difference

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are developmental disorders characterised by limitations in social interaction, communication and imagination. They are often associated with stereotypical or rigid behaviour patterns. The term ‘spectrum’ is used to reflect the fact that the disorder takes different forms in each individual with ASD. Most ASD cases can be classified into one of the following three groups: childhood autism, PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified) and Asperger’s disorder. In childhood autism, depending on their age, affected individuals make little or no contact with the outside world. Conversely, those with PDD-NOS or Asperger’s disorder are characterised not so much by a lack of contact, but more by dysfunctional interactions with those around them.