Syndromal autism is associated with severe or profound mental retardation or a congenital syndrome with physical symptoms, such as tuberous sclerosis.
Unlike with autism, people with Asperger syndrome have no substantial delay in language development.
Weak central coherence theory hypothesizes that a limited ability to see the big picture underlies the central disturbance in autism.
Executive dysfunction hypothesizes that autistic behavior results in part from deficits in working memory, planning, inhibition, and other forms of executive function.
The theory of mind approach, which hypothesizes that autistic behavior arises from an inability to ascribe mental states to oneself and others.
The extreme male brain theory hypothesizes that autism is an extreme case of the male brain, defined psychometrically as individuals in whom systemizing is better than empathizing
The empathizing–systemizing theory postulates that autistic individuals can develop internal rules of operation to handle events inside the brain, but are less effective at empathizing by handling events generated by other agents
Auditory function tests determine whether hearing disabilities are causing delays in the development of the child’s social and language skills.
The Son-Rise program was started by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman after their son was diagnosed with autism. The main concentration of this approach is on the parent’s attitude and emotions which help them bond with their child. Parents are taught how to make a distraction-free learning environment for the child.