[Current concept of autism].

Childhood autism, the most characteristic subgroup of the broader PDD (pervasive developmental disorders) category, is the consequence of genetic or typically prenatal, organic factors causing cerebral damage. The resulting mental handicap lasts for a lifetime. It is characterized by a behavioural syndrome, that becomes recognizable between the 2.-3. year. The core of the syndrome is a deviant and/or retarded development of cognitive capacities and skills necessary for social relations, communication, fantasy and symbolic thinking. Almost all autistic people (95%) would not reach independence as adults, and most of them (75%) is mentally retarded as well. According to our calculations about 16,000 people are affected in Hungary, in a more or less serious degree, 2000 children among them. Their condition would require intensive, early and long lasting intervention: conditioning, training, education, and special social services. Today we do not possess the necessary organisational background, nor the professional training, and knowledge. For the early diagnosis, proper care and services the competence of child- and general psychiatrists, also of family doctors is indispensable. The author summarizes the most important available informations on the field first of all for those, who work in the general medical services.