Autism means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. Autism does not apply if a child’s educational performance is adversely affected primarily because the child has an emotional disturbance as defined in 34 CFR Sec. 300.8(c)(4). A child who manifests the characteristics of autism after age three could be identified as having autism if the criteria described in 34 CFR Sec. 300.8(c)(1)(i) are satisfied. (34 CFR Sec. 300.8(c)(1))
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ASD is a neurobiological disorder that interferes with the development of communication and social interaction skills. It is a lifelong disorder that may result in impaired development of life skills. ASD can make learning difficult and may lead to challenging behaviors. Usually, ASD becomes apparent by 3 years of age. Early development may or may not be typical. ASD is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and ASD does not differ between ethnic, racial and socioeconomic groups throughout the world. Currently, ASD is estimated to affect as many as one in 88 American children and affects four times as many males.
ASD includes the specific diagnosis of Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Diagnostic criteria for each of these are outlined in the DSM-IV under the category Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). Individuals with ASD may also have other disorders such as mental retardation, seizure disorders, sensory impairments, cerebral palsy and others.
