NeuroDevelopmental Disorders

Intellectual Disabilities

Communication Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Specific Learning Disorder

Motor Disorders Tic Disorders

Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Formerly a collection of separate disorders ASD has brought them into a family or spectrum with a wide range of disabilities and abilities

Commonly language deficits and social impairment based upon “theory of mind” where they typically don’t shows signs of understanding thoughts and feelings of others and a lack of communication.

Also commonly engage in repetitive behaviours and “echolalia” or repeating what others say

Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning) autism normal or exceptional intelligence and often very specialized abilities.

Biological factors are genetic and abnormal brain development possibly due to maternal infection or stress hormones as seen through higher concordance among identical twins and also for later born children.

4:1 boys to girls ratio reflective of a greater propensity for boys to be “Systematizers” – understanding through math and mechanics rather than through empathy.

People with ASD tend to be less likely to mimic or respond to others behavior in “mirroring” fashion.