World Autism Awareness Day is today, 2nd April. International attention is essential to addressing stigma, lack of awareness and inadequate support structures. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. They include autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome. With the May 2013 publication of the new DSM-5 diagnostic manual, these autism subtypes will be merged into one umbrella diagnosis of ASD. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art. What can we do? Let us continue to work to increase awareness, acceptance, respect and support. http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism #Autism, #AutismAwareness, #AutismSpeaks, #WorldAutismAwarenessDay, #LivingWithAutism ,