Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a range, or “spectrum,” of symptoms, skills, and disability levels. This can go from the full ability to do all daily activities to others who require support to handle basic tasks.

Conditions included in this range include Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

It is estimated that 1 in 68 children has ASD, and it occurs in all racial and ethnic groups, but is more prevalent in boys than girls.