Abstract
Part 1 of the review article on autism spectrum disorders discusses the new tasks faced by physicians and psychologists who are involved in the diagnostic and therapeutic process in children with these disorders. It informs of the increase in prevalence and provides possible explanations for this epidemiological trend.
Current information on the aetiopathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders and on the results of neuroimaging studies is summarised. The association between the development of autism spectrum disorders and vaccination is reported as unconfirmed.
The clinical presentation of childhood and atypical autism and of Asperger syndrome is described in detail.