Autism and related behaviours.
Childhood autism is conceptualized as a behavioural syndrome with several different aetiologies. Its prevalence is estimated at about one in every thousand children born. The male:female ratio is considerably higher than in the general population, but possibly not as high as 3-4:1 (as has been suggested for almost 50 years in the literature). A number of specific medical conditions are associated with autism and a comprehensive medical work-up is required in all cases with pervasive autistic symptomatology. Genetic factors contribute to the development of autism in some cases. Recent neurobiological and psychological studies contribute to a concept of the autistic syndrome as but one of several different syndromes characterized by impaired empathy skills.
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Annedals Clinics, Göteborg, Sweden.
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D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012919:Social Behavior