BMC’s Yawkey building doors are now closed as an entrance as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance our campus and provide you with the best clinical care.

All patients and visitors on our main campus must enter our hospital via Shapiro, Menino, or Moakley buildings, where they will be greeted by team members at a new centralized check-in desk before continuing to the hospital. We are excited to welcome you and appreciate your patience as we improve our facilities.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder. Children with ASD often have language problems, difficulty with social interactions, stereotyped behaviors, and limited interests in play.

The terminology used for ASD can be confusing. In the past terms such as Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Asperger Syndrome were used.  We no longer use those terms, and instead, we use ASD.  

 

Causes of ASDS

Scientists do not know what causes ASDs. There is a lot of evidence that indicates that genes, their functions, and their interactions play an important role in the development of ASDs. There is also evidence that indicates that environmental factors may also play a role in causing autism.

Many other causes of ASDs have been proposed, including vaccines and their preservatives. To date there is no conclusive scientific evidence that any part of a vaccine causes autism.