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SERC - www.ctserc.org Professional Development and Information Resources for
Connecticut's Educators and the Families They Serve

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Focus on Autism

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Autism 101

What is Autism?

•Autism is a disorder characterized by a severe disruption of the normal developmental process. Autism is not a disease, it is one type of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) are often used synonymously.

•Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)/Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by severe and pervasive impairments in several areas of development, such as:

  • Impairment in socialization
  • Impairments in verbal and nonverbal communication
  • Restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior

•There are 5 disorders under the ASD or PDD umbrella:

  • Autistic disorders
  • Asperger Syndrome
  • Childhood Disintigrative Disorder
  • Rett Disorder
  • Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

•Continue on to Diagnosis and Successful Interventionarrow

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updated 04/15/2003