Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are often considered to be genetic. They are characterized by unificational behavioral abnormalities which are classified in two basic domains: social relations and social communication, and restricted and repetitive pattern of behaviors and activity. Clinical research has evidenced that genetic and environmental factors play a major role in the development of ASD, and it is contemplated to be a multifactorial as well. Augmentation in the field of molecular genetics and neuroscience allows the pharmacologist to explore more features of ASDs using genetic, humanoid, and nonhumanoid models. Hence, the present review was undertaken to elucidate the major concepts associated with the models of ASD, such as gene or chromosome incrimination; face, predict, and construct validities; behavioral assays; and advantages and disadvantages of preclinical models along with constrains in developing genetic models for ASD.