Recent worldwide epidemiological surveys of autism conducted in 37 countries are reviewed; the median prevalence of autism is 0.97% in 26 high-income countries. Methodological advances and remaining challenges in designing and executing surveys are discussed, including the effects on prevalence of variable case definitions and nosography, of…

Thirty females (ages 5-28) with autism also had many features of classic Rett syndrome (RS). The course of the disorder was more benign that in classic RS. A category of "Rett Complex" is proposed in which individuals have classic RS, but have a preserved speech variant. (Author/CR)

This article discusses the problem of over-including individuals in the autism classification. It argues that clinicians are doing a disservice to individuals who are given the diagnosis of autism by considering the group as a whole, without further efforts to subtype based on something other than behavioral characteristics. (Contains references.)…