Neuropsychological Aspects of Pervasive Developmental and Autism Spectrum Disorders

摘要: Autism is a complex pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) associated with substantial impairments in terms of social deficits, communication abnormalities, stereotypical and repetitive behaviors, wide range clinical presentations (Cody, Pelphry, & Piven, 2002). The presentation symptoms autism varies greatly between individuals making differential diagnosis difficult. Furthermore, the uneven cognitive behavioral profilesmake it unique complicated condition. To facilitate better understanding such complexities, researchers have focused on uncovering its etiological factors, identifying involved brain structures processes, categorizing actual manifestations, examining neuropsychological basis. There strong evidence from neuropathological studies that ASD originates early prenatal life abnormal development (Kemper Rodier, 2002) atypical neurodevelopment continues to evolve throughout (Courchesne, Carper, Akshoomoff, 2001; Zwaigenbaum et al., 2005). A literature base exists underpinnings albeit somewhat inconsistent (Dawson, 1996). With this mind, chapter reports some findings onASDandpervasive disorders.