The word autism derives from the Greek word "autos" meaning "self". However, a description as selfishness in the sense of isolation from the outside world does not do justice to the width of the autism spectrum. In addition, no single term exists that describes all people with autism equally.

However, the various diagnoses of autism spectrum (Childhood autism (Kanner syndrome), Aspergers syndrome, atypical autism) do show common traits in people affected by a concentration of typical features in the areas of interpersonal relationships, communication, and special areas of interest and activities.

Autism is not a culture-specific phenomenon, one can meet people with autism in all of the world. Current prevalence estimates indicate that about 1 out of 100 people is on the autism spectrum.

On the following websites you can find out more about what is autism: