Autism: Overview.

Historically, autism was the most commonly diagnosed of a group of three neurodevelopmental syndromes, known collectively as autism spectrum disorders; the conditions are now believed to be degrees of the same syndrome, autism. Autism significantly impairs an affected person’s capacity for communication and social interactions. Affected people also commonly display quirky, repetitive behaviors such as hand-flapping and specific, rigid routines; absorption or obsession in unusual interests; and heightened sensitivity to auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli. People with autism typically experience difficulties articulating their emotions, maintaining eye contact, and decoding other people’s facial expressions, gestures, and social cues, and may have unusual ways of speaking.