Original: The terminology of autism can be bewildering, with autism, Asperger syndrome and PDD-NOS often called the autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or sometimes the autistic disorders, whereas autism itself is often called autistic disorder, childhood autism, or infantile autism.
Simplified: Parents with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (Asperger Syndrome) often have children with Asperger Syndrome or with more severe Autism.