Slide 4

Well, what is autism? Clinically there's a broad variation in phenotypes and severities, and autism along with its milder variant Asperger syndrome has been recognised as part of a continuum or spectrum of developmental disorders.

Autism is defined in terms of abnormalities in three broad areas of behaviour, none of which is particularly independent of the other two.

These are generally described as social behaviour, communication, and restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours.