Autism or PPD (pervasive developmental disorder) is defined by the Columbia encyclopedia as a rare neurodevelopment disorder characterized by the inability to relate to and perceive the environment in a realistic manner. The onset of the disorder is in infancy or early childhood, generally before the age of thirty months, and males are affected four times as often as females. Symptoms include impairment in social interaction, fixation on inanimate objects, inability to communicate normally, and resistance to changes in daily routine (1).

Diagnosing Autism is based on four characteristics: difficulty with language, abnormal responses to sensory stimuli, resistance to change and difficulty with social interaction. "Other characteristics of autism may include: making the same repetitive motion for hours, repeating a sound or phrase, inability to hold a conversation, practicing unusual play patterns, and extreme sensitivity to sound and touch" (Riccio, 1999). Autistics can exhibit any combination of these characteristics in any degree. That is why autism is referred to as a "spectrum" disorder, because at one end of the disorder a child may be inflicted with some symptoms, while a

In diagnosing, or assessing autism the child's history is taken into consideration. For instance whether or not the family has autism in any other branches of its tree can help to determine whether a child may or may not have autism. The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (1999) states: Aspects of the assessment will vary depending on the child's age, history, and previous evaluations (p.6). The history would include the history of the pregnancy and development of the child, marking such milestones as communication and motor skills (i.e. child's first words or steps), and when thought to be unusual. Doctors will often discuss their medical history, such as possibility of seizures, hearing and visual impairments along with other conditions or syndromes such as fragile X syndrome. Doctors will do this because there is not a specific laboratory test for autism at this point in time. These studies and discussions help in the search for a diagnosis. A test for fragile X syndrome may be given because of its direct association with autism. Autistic children are often characterized by repetitive motions such as clapping, hand flapping and rocking back and forth. Some are extremely sensitive to minor noises, scents and pain, and may even throw tantrums for no apparent reason at any given time.

Although most autistic people are severely mentally retarded about 10 percent are autistic "savants". A savant is a person who incredibly excels in a particular area, such as music or math. "A person who has autism yet can play a Beethoven sonata after hearing it just once, or can do complex mathematical equations, or tell you whether December 3, 1956, fell on a Tuesday or Wednesday" (p.1). Savants may be mentally retarded but they have what Dr. Pratt calls "a very strong, specific talent" (cited in Riccio, 1999). Savants may also have the ability to focus solely on one specific task, or talent while tuning out their immediate surroundings. The part of their brain that their talent is derived from may be intensified, and used almost to full capacity. Gary Anthes, a reporter for Computer World states that "autistic individuals are excellent candidates for computer programming and graphics positions" (1997, p.1). Because autistics can often exhibit strong talents and are able to focus so well, these types of jobs would be greatly beneficial to t

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