Caring for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Part I: Prevalence, Etiology, and Core Features

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 150 children and has been gaining national attention over the past decade. Given the prevalence of this disorder, there is a high probability that pediatric nurses will care for a child with ASD, regardless of the setting in which they work. Children with ASD traverse the primary care outpatient setting, schools, subspecialty clinics, and inpatient units. A basic understanding of the current issues regarding prevalence and etiology, coupled with knowledge of the core features of ASD, will help pediatric nurses in all settings and at various practice levels better care for these children.

Key words: Autism spectrum disorder, Pervasive developmental disorders, Asperger's disorder, Childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett's disorder, Pervasive developmental disorders-not otherwise specified