DefinitionAutism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills.Alternative NamesPervasive developmental disorder - autismCauses, incidence, and risk factorsAutism is a physical condition linked to abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain. The exact causes of these abnormalities remain unknown, but this is a very active area of research. There are probably a combination of factors that lead to autism.Genetic factors seem to be important. For example, identical twins are much more likely than fraternal twins or siblings to both have autism. Similarly, language abnormalities are more common in relatives of autistic children. Chromosomal abnormalities and other nervous system (neurological