Before we begin the course, let's dispel a few myths about autism.

When we use the term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) we are referring to all pervasive developmental disorders that make up the autism spectrum - ASP, PDD-NOS.

The myths:

• Environmental factors such as stress cause autism.
• Autism is the result of bad parenting.
• Autism is a mental illness caused by psychological factors such as early-life trauma.

The facts:

While no single specific cause of autism is known, current research links autism to biological or neurological differences in the brain. Some studies of individuals with autism have shown abnormalities in several regions of the brain, including the cerebellum, amygdala, and hippocampus.