Editor’s Welcome Note

Abstract

Readers, thank you for your time reviewing this new and, we think, very exciting publishing adventure. Four decades ago, autism and many related developmental disorders were infrequently studied and, in the case of the autism spectrum disorders (ASD), were considered to be rare. All this has changed, in a very remarkable way. Today, thousands of papers are written on the topic yearly. Autism is now considered common, the field has taken on a multidisciplinary flavor, and many different problems and conditions have been found to overlap at high rates with ASD. In addition, symptoms can now be identified reliably in children as young as 16 months, and the disorder-though highly treatable-has a lifelong course.Research discoveries are occurring so rapidly and across so many fields and topics of study that it is difficult to stay apace and informed on new developments in the field. Papers on ASD are scattered across scores of journals, and numerous specialty journals devoted exclusively to the topic have emerged. Thus, the timing seems perfect for the introduction of a new journal-the first and only journal-devoted solely to publishing reviews of current topics in the field of autism and related disorders. The aim is for experts to review and provide updates on current topics across the field. This format also allows for the advancement of new insights into the field as topics are reviewed and synthesized.We are envisioning a journal that is both interdisciplinary and covers the broadest possible range of basic and applied topics. Genetics, animal models, early intervention, executive function, theory of mind, applied behavior analysis, gait and balance, sleep disorders, developmental coordination disorder, psychopharmacology, comorbidity, taxonomy, and scale development are just some of the topics of interest. We welcome your participation in this exciting new venture.