What Is An Autistic Spectrum Disorder?

Autistic spectrum disorder is a term used to describe individuals who have features in common...
They are affected in their ability to:
- understand and use non-verbal and verbal communication.
- interpret social behaviour which in turn affectes their ability to interact with children and adults.
- think and behave flexibly(ie know how to adapt their behaviour to suit specific situations).
They may also be quite different from each other, in their abilities and areas of strength and weakness.
Different sub groups within the spectrum have been described such as:
Asperger's syndrome
High functioning Autism
Classsical Autism
Kanner's syndrome.
More information can be gained from the National Autism Society or from the pamphlet entitled "All About Autistic Spectrum Disorders...a guide for parents and carers"published by the Mental Health Foundation.