The aim of Autism Europe is to provide high quality information that truly advances the understanding of ASD while keeping it accessible for a large audience and persons with ASD – thanks to easy-to-read version.
Scientific evidence now confirms that ASD are pervasive and lifelong disorders, which affect the developing brain and which are apparent from infancy onwards. ASD is characterised by a triad of symptoms: impairments in social interactions; impairments in communication; and restricted interests and repetitive behaviour.
The manifestations of ASD cover a wide spectrum, and the condition can affect individuals who are severely intellectually impaired as well as those who are of average or above average IQ.
ASD has a strong inherited basis, although the genetics are complex and are far from being fully understood. It is becoming evident that ASD may result from multigene interactions or from spontaneous mutations in genes with major effects but the interaction between genetic and environmental factors is an area requiring much more intensive research.
