Adult autism spectrum as a transnosographic dimension

Autism is usually diagnosed in childhood on the basis of early impairment in reciprocal communication and social interaction, stereotypic behaviors, late or poor language development, or intellectual retardation. However, subjects with mild forms of autism, with normal or aboveaverage intelligence, may reach high levels of functioning, developing in some cases excellent abilities in restricted areas, and may be undiagnosed until adulthood or misdiagnosed as having other mental disorders. ] Individuals with such forms, lying at the boundaries of ASD, might be easily misdiagnosed as having a wide range of personality disorders (eg, schizoid, schizotypal, avoidant, dependent, borderline) or unspecified schizophrenia spectrum disorders and other psychotic disorders.