Autism spectrum disorders are a group of neurological and developmental disorders that affect how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is known as a "developmental disorder" because symptoms usually appear during the first two years of life.

The term "spectrum" is used to describe autism because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms that people with these disorders have. Autism spectrum disorders affect people of all genders, ethnicities, and economic groups. While they can last a lifetime, treatments and services can improve symptoms and the ability to function for people with these disorders. 

The incidence and prevalence of autism spectrum is growing rapidly, so it is important to develop effective strategies that allow us, rather than treating the signs and symptoms, to take effective actions to prevent the onset of the disease. The levels of dissolved oxygen in drinking water have a surprising inverse correlation: the lower the levels of dissolved oxygen in the water with which there is regular contact, the higher the incidence and prevalence of the autism spectrum and vice versa.