Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are lifelong developmental disabilities. People with ASDs have impairments in social skills and verbal and nonverbal communication. They often have repetitive behaviors or unusual interests. ASDs are part of the broader category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) and include Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specifi ed (PDD-NOS).