Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Relatives of Patients with Selective Immunoglobulin A Deficiency‪.‬

Autism (sometimes called "classical autism") is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASD). These disorders are characterized by impairments in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and the presence of restricted and repetitive stereotyped behaviors (1). ASD also includes: Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. Autism is considered, at present, the fastest growing serious developmental disability in children. It has been estimated that more children will be diagnosed with autism this year in the United States than with AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined.