More can be done to help those with autism spectrum disorder

I refer to the report "Just over one in 100 children in Singapore have autism" (Sept 16).

- Quek Koh Choon (Dr)

Perhaps a more appropriate term for this condition is autism spectrum disorder (ASD). On this spectrum, there may be those with more severe manifestations, who may present with more severe behaviour manifestations such as throwing tantrums and crying for many hours, with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder features.

On the spectrum are also those who are high-functioning. They may be missed as having ASD, for they may be rather intelligent and behave normally but may have difficulties in certain areas of language, speech and social interaction.