Autism is a wide range or spectrum of brain disorders that is usually noticed in young children. Autism is also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD. Autism decreases the individual's ability to communicate and relate emotionally to others. This disability may range from mild to severe. Autism occurs about four to five times more often in boys than girls.

Autism is a disorder, not a disease. Autism can’t be caught or transmitted. There are studies that believe that ASD is a genetic disorder but there hasn’t been anything proven a fact as of yet. There are many brain disorders that fall under the autism category such as autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder and Asperger syndrome.

Spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms, abilities, skills, and severity of the disorder. The three most common disorders on the autism spectrum are autism, Asperger's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder.