Autism is classified as a Pervasive Developmental Disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM IV-TR, 2004), that is generally observed within the first 3 years of a child’s life. Individuals with autism are characterized by serious deficits in the areas of social skill development, nonverbal and verbal communication and age-appropriate play skills. In addition, children with autism often display unusual and dysfunctional patterns of behavior.
Autism affects approximately 30 individuals per 10000 (Baird, 1999) and is more prevalent in boys than girls.
Autism and the other disorders in the autism spectrum are behaviorally defined syndromes that are now generally regarded to be of neurobiological origin. Autism is not caused by inappropriate parenting or other psychosocial variables in the home life of the developing child.
Research has documented that early intensive behavioral intervention leads to significant change in the lives of individuals with autism.
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