Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is believed to have been the result of several etiological factors affecting the development of the central nervous system in critical periods of
life. The consequences are disorders of sensory perception, disruption of social interaction with abnormalities in social communication, along with stereotypical, repetitive behavior and limited
interests. Autism represents the whole spectrum of disorders – that is why we are talking about autism spectrum disorders.
It can be said that each individual with autism is different. Heterogeneity is manifested in different severity of the above-mentioned so-called core symptoms of autism, however, there are also varying degrees of adaptability, intellectual capacity, language skills, and associated psychiatric and other concomitant illnesses. The pharmacological treatment of the core symptoms of autism is unknown. Although we do not yet know a cure for autism, behavioral interventions are available to improve the quality of life of disabled persons. Understanding autism merely as a behavioral disorder is very superficial; it is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects all areas of central nervous system development and its functions with projection into all areas of the life of an individual with autism. If we understand and accept all the limitations that people with autism live with, if we accept them in society, then we can also help them realize their potential to the extent that their limitations allow them.
Keywords: autism spectrum disorders, gene-environment interaction, autism biomarkers, applied behavior analysis