Ø        Autistic/Autism Spectrum Disorders

Ø        Autism

Ø        Asperger’s Syndrome

Ø        Autistic Disorder

Ø        Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Ø        High Functioning Autism

Ø        Perseveration

Ø        Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified

Ø        Retts Syndrome

Ø        Echolalia

Autistic/Autism Spectrum Disorders: A term that encompasses autism and similar disorders. More specifically, the following five disorders listed in the DSM-IV: Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Retts Disorder.

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Autism: A spectrum of developmental disability disorders characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication, and unusual and repetitive behavior.
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Asperger’s Syndrome (AS): A developmental disorder on the autism spectrum defined by impairments in communication and social development and by repetitive interests and behaviors. Unlike typical autism, individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome have no significant delay in language and cognitive development.
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Autistic Disorder: Individuals with Autistic Disorder have a moderate to severe range of communication, socialization, and restrictive and repetitive behavior.
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Childhood Disintegrative Disorder: Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, an extremely rare disorder, is a clearly apparent regression in multiple areas of functioning (such as the ability to move, bladder and bowel control, and social and language skills) following a period of at least 2 years of apparently normal development.
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High Functioning Autism: Individuals with autism who do not have a co-occurring cognitive disability are called ‘high functioning.
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Perseveration: Repetitive movement or speech, or sticking to one idea or task, which has a compulsive quality to it.
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Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS): The diagnosis given for children who present with some of the characteristics of either Autism or Asperger's Syndrome, but not severe enough for a diagnosis of either of these conditions.

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Rett’s Syndrome: a neurological disorder that occurs only in girls. Unlike autism, girls initially show normal development, then revert. The initial symptoms include some that are associated with autism.
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Echolalia: Repeating words or phrases heard previously. The echoing may occur immediately after hearing the word or phrase, or much later. Delayed echolalia can occur days or weeks after hearing the word or phrase.
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