With severe autism, independent living is unlikely; with milder autism, there are some suc

Of the other four autism spectrum disorders, Asperger syndrome is closest to autism in signs and likely causes; Rett syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder share several signs with autism, but may have unrelated causes; PDD not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) is diagnosed when the criteria are

The manifestations of autism cover a wide spectrum, ranging from individuals with severe impairments-who may be silent, mentally disabled, and locked into hand flapping and rocking-to less impaired individuals who may have active but distinctly odd social approaches, narrowly focused interests, and verbose, pedantic communication. Sometimes the syndrome is divided into low-, medium- and high-functioning autism, based on IQ thresholds; these subdivisions are not standardized and are controversial.