National Institute of Mental Health

A Parent's Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder National Institute of Mental Health

This guide is intended to help parents understand what autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is, recognize common signs and symptoms, and find the resources they need. It?s important to remember that help is available. Autism is a group of developmental brain disorders, collectively called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The term ?spectrum? refers to the wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment, or disability, that children with ASD can have. Some children are mildly impaired by their symptoms, but others are severely disabled. ASD is diagnosed according to guidelines listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition - Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). The manual currently defines five disorders, sometimes called pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), as ASD: Autistic disorder (classic autism); Asperger?s disorder (Asperger syndrome); Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS); Rett?s disorder (Rett syndrome); Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD). This information packet will focus on autism, Asperger syndrome, and PDD-NOS, with brief descriptions of Rett syndrome and CDD in the section, ?Related disorders.?