Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The
result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism affects the normal development
of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Autism is one of five disorders which
fall under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The five disorders are Autistic Disorder,
Asperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), Rett Syndrome, and PDD-Not Otherwise
Specified (PDD-NOS).