Autism spectrum disorder is a general term for the complex neurological diseases that affect brain development. The common characteristics of the disease are difficulties in social interactions, speech communication and repetitive sounds and movements. In May of 2013, the DSM-5 diagnostic manual placed all autism disorders under one umbrella known as ASD or autism spectrum disorders. This merged all of the sub-types like Asperger syndrome, autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (autism speaks, 2014). Common characteristics of autism are intellectual disability, challenges in motor coordination, attention span issues, physical issues like sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some children with autism spectrum disorders have excellent visual skills, music, math and art abilities. Autism is born in early brain development. Evident signs of autism emerge between the age of two and three years of age. If a child is diagnosed at an early age behavioral therapies can be used to improve the development of the child. In our society the number of autism disorder is increasing in number of cases reported. However, it is not clear whether this is due to better detection and reporting or is it a real increase in the number of cases of children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is a heterogeneous condition which means no two children or adults with autism have exactly the same symptoms, but challenges fall into core domains that are reliably measured and normally consistent across time, even though specific behaviors may change with development (Lord, 2000).
What are the causes of autism spectrum disorder? Researchers are uncertain about the causes of autism. However, there is a belief that genetics and environment play a role. Scientists have identified various genes associated with autism spectrum disorder.