Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological condition, autistic people are born autistic - we do not know why people are autistic.

Someone who is born on the autism spectrum/has autism spectrum disorder/is autistic.

Often used in an offensive manner towards autistic people.

1 in 100 of the population have autistic spectrum disorder. 0.2% are female, and 1.8% are male.

Rita Jordan has written:

'The National Autistic Society'

'Teaching language and autism'

'Meeting the needs of children with autistic spectrum disorders'

'The special curricular needs of autistic children'

There is a Autism Physician Handbook that can be downloaded at autismcanada.org. There is a wealth of infomration concerning autistic spectrum disorders at www.hhs.gov/autism. I am sure that your doctor could also provide you with some information concerning spectrum disorders or refer you to someone that can help you.