During the 1940s, two major discoveries were made concerning disorders in the autistic spectrum. Dr. Leo Kanner, during a study of 11 children, brought information to the world concerning what is now known as autism. Also, Dr Hans Asperger, while doing his own studies, came across what we now know to be Asperger syndrome. There are different disorders in the autism spectrum and afflicted individuals will be affected in varying degrees. These disorders cause problems with socialization, communication skills and some of them cause repetitive behavior patterns.

A child with an autistic spectrum disorder will normally show the symptoms before they reach the age of 3. These children do not act like other children who are not affected. They will not respond to their parents when they speak to them or attempt to play with them. They may fixate on inanimate objects instead of responding to the parents. While the disorder may not show itself until after the child has already shown “normal” behavior, it can sometimes be seen almost from birth.

Disorders may range from the milder form in the autism spectrum, normally referred to as Asperger syndrome, to a more severe form known as an autistic disorder. There is also high functioning autism, which shows symptoms very close to Asperger syndrome. If a child seems to have symptoms of autism, either the mild or the more sever form, yet does not fall under a certain criteria for one of these disorders, then they are normally diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder.

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