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Autism is a neurological disorder that affects how an individual can communicate and interact. It is typically classified as a developmental disorder because symptoms often show by age two.

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Autism Speaks does not provide medical or legal advice or services. Rather, Autism Speaks provides general information about autism as a service to the community. The information provided on our website is not a recommendation, referral or endorsement of any resource, therapeutic method, or service provider and does not replace the advice of medical, legal or educational professionals. Autism Speaks has not validated and is not responsible for any information, events, or services provided by third parties. The views and opinions expressed in blogs on our website do not necessarily reflect the views of Autism Speaks.

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CDC activities and resources on autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

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This Resource Center was made possible by a grant from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's Campaign for America's Kids (CFAK). Last updated October 2021

About

Autism is a condition which is usually diagnosed before a child is three. Autistic children have delayed speech or no speech at all, problems interacting socially, limited interests and odd or repetitive behaviors. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by abnormal brain development and functioning. Many children with autism also have an intellectual disability.

Finding the right treatment plan can be challenging because every child is unique and has different strengths and weaknesses. Often parents have their child tested for hearing problems because their child does not respond to conversation or commands. They may also show strange or difficult to manage behaviors. Early detection and getting the right educational, medical, behavioral, and supportive services can improve the functioning and long-term outlook of children with autism.
Choose a topic:
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is autism?

2. What are early signs of autism?

3. What are some symptoms of autism that parents and caregivers can look for?

4. What is the difference between autism and Asperger's disorder?

5. Are there treatments available for autism?

6. Are there medication treatments for autism?

7. Why do children with autism have difficulty learning in a regular classroom setting?

8. What is the difference between autism and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD, NOS)?

Featured Expert Response to Frequently Asked Questions
When Should a Parent Consider Medication for their Child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder?
FAQs for Families: Autism and DSM-5
Facts for Families

AACAP's Facts for Families were developed to provide concise and up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families.

Video Clips

For Professionals

For Families

Autism - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology
This video is appropriate for parents and caregivers and describes the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder.

For Teenagers

Clinical Resources
Practice Parameters
Considered resources for experts, mental health professional and physicians, AACAP's practice parameters were developed to guide clinical decision making. They show the best treatments and the range of treatment options available to families living with childhood and adolescent mental illness.
Practice Parameters For The Assessment And Treatment Of Children, Adolescents, And Adults With Autism And Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with mental retardation and comorbid mental disorders.
Lifelong Learning Modules Additional Clinical Resources Autism Spectrum Disorder: Parents' Medication Guide
Research and Training

For Professionals

For Families and Transitional Age Youth

Books

AACAP's publications, and Your Adolescent, offer accessible, comprehensive information about the emotional development and behavior of children from infancy through the teenage years.

For more bibliotherapy resources, visit Living with Mental Illness: Books, Stories and Memoirs.

Getting Help

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder
Getting help is the most important thing that parents can do for children and adolescents with autism. Parents should try to find a mental health professional who has advanced training and experience with evaluating and treating children, adolescents, and families. It is important to find a comfortable match between your child, your family, and the mental health professional.

A child and adolescent psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and, treatment of disorders of thinking, feeling and behavior that affect children, adolescents, and their families. Child and adolescent psychiatrists have completed four years of medical school, at least three years of residency training in medicine, neurology, or general psychiatry with adults, and two years of additional training in psychiatric work with children, adolescents, and their families.

Click here to find a child and adolescent psychiatrist in your area.

Bear in mind that because of the extensive training required, there is a nationwide shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists. To learn more about other mental health professionals and places families can find help, read to Find Help For Your Child.

Autism Society of America's Source Directory
Find local providers and services for families living with autism through the Autism Society of America's (ASA) source directory.

The ASA is the nation's leading grassroots autism organization and exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism.

Other Links

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This Resource Center was made possible by a grant from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's Campaign for America's Kids (CFAK). Last updated October 2021 Autism is a condition which is usually diagnosed before a child is three. Autistic children have delayed speech or no speech at all, problems interacting socially, limited interests and odd or repetitive behaviors.

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Named for Leo Kanner, one of the researchers credited with writing one of the original reports on autism in 1943, Kanner’s Syndrome is an outdated term for what we now call autism. At the time of the paper’s publication, Kanner identified autism as “infantile autism,” a disorder observed in infants and children that included socialization impairments and repetitive behavior, among other symptoms.

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Asperger’s Syndrome is a developmental disorder that was previously recognized as a separate disorder from autism. With the publication of the DSM-V, Asperger’s was reclassified into a broader category of ASD, along with several other developmental disorders. Due to Asperger’s long history as a separate disorder from autism, specialists will occasionally diagnose children with Asperger’s to signify a subtype of less-severe ASD.. Despite Asperger’s removal from the DSM, many people still identify with the term, and it doesn’t always present exactly as “standard” autism does. The relationship between Asperger’s and autism is similar, but not always identical, and understanding that unique relationship can help improve a loved one’s quality of life. Before its removal from the DSM-V, Asperger’s shared symptoms and criteria with autism but also had signs separate from autism.

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Rett Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that almost exclusively affects girls. Children with Rett Syndrome often display similar symptoms to autism in early childhood, like loss of communication and social skills. However, since Rett Syndrome is primarily found in girls and presents many physical symptoms not found in ASD, it was removed from the DSM-V and is no longer considered a developmental disorder under the ASD umbrella

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Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) is another developmental disorder that was absorbed into the ASD umbrella with the publication of the DSM-5. Before its reclassification as an ASD, CDD was considered a rare, more severe form of autism. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is uncommon, with a prevalence of 1.7 in 100,000 children.

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This website will guide you through a bunch of different places that can help you or your child with autism in the future. It can help with their living situation, places for them to get better learning help, etc.

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This website just gives you some insight on things that you can look for with a child with autism. Like their milestones if the child isn't reaching them at the right age. You could get them checked early on. It also gives a better understanding of what autism is.

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This website has answers to most questions that families have. What is autism? What are early signs? Are there treatments? It also gives a rundown of what autism is and what it means.

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This website gives you an opportunity to sign up to volunteer and work with kids that have autism. You can volunteer to play tennis with them and help them work on some skills.