No abstract

Autism, first described in 1943 by Leo Kanner, was at that time thought to be a rare disorder (1). In the past two decades, the prevalence of Autism has seen a consistent and dramatic increase with the diagnostic criteria changing to encompass a broader perspective of symptom manifestations, now called autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which has led to increased knowledge and push for earlier screening and recognition of the disorder. In the past, the ASD were historically made up of multiple distinct disorders (i.e., autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified and Asperger disorder). In 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), these disorders were combined into one term Autism Spectrum Disorder. The most recent estimate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is that 1 in 68 children has a diagnosis of ASD (2). In 2016, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended all children be screened for ASD at ages 18 and 24 months and for all children who fail routine developmental surveillance. Many studies have been published on emerging theories for the pathophysiology and etiology of ASD, most concluding the cause is multi-factorial with a complex interplay of several mechanisms, genetics, epigenetics, and environmental

No abstract

No abstract