ABSTRACT
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of disorders often diagnosed in childhood and characterized by impairments in communication, social interaction, and focused interests. The diagnoses of Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, and Asperger’s Disorder comprise the subgroups within the broader category of ASDs. Specific criteria distinguish these diagnoses from one another, and intelligence ranges from below to above average (American Psychiatric Association, 2000; Newschaffer et al., 2006). There is no definitive research regarding the etiological factors associated with ASDs.
