| Popis: |
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by distinctive language impairments, social and communicative deficits, and patterns of restricted and stereotyped behavior. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) (American Psychiatric Association, 2000), pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) are also referred to as autistic disorder (AD), Asperger’s disorder, PDD not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), childhood disintegrative disorder, and Rett Disorder. However, the diagnostic boundaries between these PDD subtypes remain unclear, the symptoms and behaviours lie on a continuum and have considerable clinical heterogeneity (Szatmari, 1999). In this review, therefore, ASDs are referred to as the diagnostic category of PDDs. |
