METHODS FOR TREATING AUTISM

1 . A method for treating autism comprising administering to an individual in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a p21-activated kinase (PAK) inhibitor.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the PAK inhibitor modulates dendritic spine morphology or synaptic function.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the PAK inhibitor modulates dendritic spine density.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the PAK inhibitor modulates dendritic spine length.

5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the PAK inhibitor modulates dendritic spine neck diameter.

6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the PAK inhibitor modulates dendritic spine head volume.

7 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the PAK inhibitor modulates dendritic spine head diameter.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the PAK inhibitor modulates the ratio of the number of mature dendritic spines to the number of immature dendritic spines.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the PAK inhibitor modulates the ratio of the dendritic spine head diameter to dendritic spine length.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the PAK inhibitor modulates synaptic function.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the PAK inhibitor normalizes or partially normalizes aberrant baseline synaptic transmission associated with autism.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the PAK inhibitor normalizes or partially normalizes aberrant synaptic plasticity associated with autism.

13 . The method of claim 1 wherein the PAK inhibitor causes partial inhibition of one or more PAK kinases.

14 . The method of claim 1 wherein the PAK kinase inhibitor is a PAK1 inhibitor.

15 . The method of claim 1 wherein the PAK kinase inhibitor is a PAK2 inhibitor.

16 . The method of claim 1 wherein the PAK kinase inhibitor is a PAK3 inhibitor.

17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment comprises administering the PAK inhibitor to an individual with two or more or the following symptoms: (i) insistence on sameness or resistance to change; (ii) difficulty in expressing needs; (iii) repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language; (iv) laughing, crying, showing distress for reasons not apparent to others; (v) prefers to be alone or aloof manner; (vi) tantrums; (vii) difficulty in mixing with others; (viii) may not want to cuddle or be cuddled; (ix) little or no eye contact; (x) unresponsive to normal teaching methods; (xi) sustained odd play; (xii) apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain; (xiii) little or no real fears of danger; (xiv) noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity; (xv) uneven gross/fine motor skills; and/or (xvi) non-responsiveness to verbal cues.

18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment comprises administering the PAK inhibitor to an individual with three or more or the following symptoms: (i) insistence on sameness or resistance to change; (ii) difficulty in expressing needs; (iii) repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language; (iv) laughing, crying, showing distress for reasons not apparent to others; (v) prefers to be alone or aloof manner; (vi) tantrums; (vii) difficulty in mixing with others; (viii) may not want to cuddle or be cuddled; (ix) little or no eye contact; (x) unresponsive to normal teaching methods; (xi) sustained odd play; (xii) apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain; (xiii) little or no real fears of danger; (xiv) noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity; (xv) uneven gross/fine motor skills; and/or (xvi) non-responsiveness to verbal cues.

19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment alleviates, delays the onset of, inhibits the progression of, or reduces the severity of one or more symptoms associated with Autism Disorder.

20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment alleviates, delays the onset of, inhibits the progression of, or reduces the severity of one or more symptoms associated with Asperger's Disorder.

21 .- 33 . (canceled)