What is autism spectrum disorder? Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences.
What is OCD? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder of the brain and behavior. OCD causes severe anxiety in those affected. OCD involves both obsessions and compulsions that take a lot of time and get in the way of important activities the person values. Here is one way to think about what having OCD is like:
Some research points to the likelihood that OCD sufferers will have a family member with the OCD or with one of the other disorders in the OCD âSpectrumâ. However, the theory that OCD is inherited genetically is not conclusive - for example, identical twins will not necessarily both have OCD.