Autism Spectrum Disorder (previously Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder) has gained increased recognition over the past several years, and there has been a significant rise in the number of children diagnosed with this disorder.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by symptoms such as poor social communication (e.g. poor eye contact, inability to engage in normal back-and-forth conversation), failure to develop peer relationships, rigid adherence to routines and rituals, and abnormally intense fixations and/or preoccupations. There may be delays in spoken language, inability to initiate or sustain conversation with others, and repetitive use of language that may not make sense to others. Children with ASD may also be very sensitive to certain visual stimuli, sounds, tastes, smells, or textures..