Is my child autistic? Helping parents understand a difficult diagnosis.

摘要

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) include autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. Each disorder is characterized by varying degrees of impaired social, behavioral, and communication skills.This article focuses on the most severe ASD, autistic disorder. Increased media coverage is making parents more aware of its early signs. As a result, they are more likely to raise concerns about their child. PAs must be aware of the signs and symptoms of autism in order to address parents' concerns and make an accurate diagnosis.