Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
autism spectrum disorder
au·tis·tic spec·trum dis·or·der
Subclass of:
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
Also called:
ASD; Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)
Definitions related to autism spectrum disorders:
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A spectrum of developmental disorders that includes autism, Asperger syndrome, and Rett syndrome. Signs and symptoms include poor communication skills, defective social interactions, and repetitive behaviors.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a person's life. It affects how a person acts and interacts with others, communicates, and learns. It includes what used to be known as Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorders. It is called a "spectrum" disorder because people with ASD can have a range of symptoms. People with ASD might have problems talking with you, or they might not look you in the eye when you talk to them. They may also have restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. They may spend a lot of time putting things in order, or they may say the same sentence again and again. They may often seem to be in their "own world." At well-child checkups, the health care provider should check your child's development. If there are signs of ASD, your child will have a comprehensive evaluation. It may include a team of specialists, doing various tests and evaluations to make a diagnosis. The causes of ASD are not known. Research suggests that both genes and environment play important roles. There is currently no one standard treatment for ASD. There are many ways to increase your child's ability to grow and learn new skills. Starting them early can lead to better results.MedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Neurodevelopmental disorders presenting in childhood with classic symptoms of impairment in verbal and nonverbal communication, social interactions, and/or imaginative play.NICHD Pediatric TerminologyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Wide continuum of associated cognitive and neurobehavioral disorders, including, but not limited to, three core-defining features: impairments in socialization, impairments in verbal and nonverbal communication, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviors. (from DSM-V)NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Autism spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, and uneven intellectual development often with intellectual disability. Symptoms begin in early childhood. The cause in most children is unknown, although evidence...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of...Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects the development of social and communication skills. It includes features of four conditions which were once thought to be separate syndromes - autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder. Signs and symptoms often...National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent impairments in social communication, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities. Abnormal development is present during early childhood, but may only become manifest later. There may be a history of language delay (single-word...Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), any of a group of neurobiological disorders that are characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication and by abnormalities in behaviours, interests, and activities. In 1911 Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler coined the term autism (from the Greek...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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