Comorbidities of autism spectrum disorder are discussed as an introduction to the argument that, although ASD may modify presentation, it does not confer any protection against other disorder, including the negative effects of trauma (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder). Dr. Im's hypotheses are discussed, and a case example of childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD) is raised to give clinical ...

BACKGROUND Deletions and mutations involving the SHANK3 gene lead to a nonspecific clinical presentation with moderate to profound intellectual disability, severely delayed or absent speech, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Better knowledge of the clinical spectrum of SHANK3 haploinsufficiency is useful to facilitate clinical care monitoring and to guide molecular diagnosis, essential for g...

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by impaired social interaction as well as impaired language and communication accompanied by stereotyped/heartbreaking behavioral traits and increased restricted repetitive behaviors [2]. ASD describes a range of conditions (e.g. autism, social and communication deficits, Asperger disorder, childhood disintegrative disorders, pervasive developmental dis...

Autism is one of the five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development." ASD is characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills, social interaction and restricted, repetitive stereot...

This article reviews epidemiological studies of autism and related disorders. Study designs and sample characteristics are summarized. Currently, conservative prevalence estimates are: 13/10000 for autistic disorder, 21/10000 for pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified, 2.6/10000 for Asperger disorder, and 2/100000 for childhood disintegrative disorder. Newer surveys suggest t...

Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs), also known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that include autistic disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, PDDnot otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD) and Rett’s syndrome. PDDs involve delay and disorder in the development of communication and language skills, social interaction wit...