Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social communication and restricted or repetitive behaviors. Symptoms can vary widely in type and severity, which is why it's called a “spectrum.”
Core Symptoms of Autism
1. Social Communication and Interaction Difficulties
Challenges with social-emotional reciprocity (e.g., difficulty with back-and-forth conversations, reduced sharing of interests or emotions)
Difficulty with nonverbal communication, such as:
Avoiding eye contact
Limited use of gestures (e.g., pointing, waving)
Flat or unusual facial expressions
Problems with relationships, such as:
Difficulty adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts
Struggles to make or keep friends
Lack of interest in peers
2. Restricted, Repetitive Patterns of Behavior, Interests, or Activities
Repetitive movements or speech (e.g., hand-flapping, echolalia—repeating words or phrases)
Insistence on sameness, routines, or rituals
Highly focused interests, often unusually intense or narrow
Over- or under-reactivity to sensory input, such as:
Being extremely sensitive to lights, sounds, or textures
Not noticing pain or temperature
Other Common Symptoms
Though not part of the core diagnostic criteria, people with autism may also have:
Delayed speech or language skills
Intellectual disability or, in some cases, above-average intelligence
Poor motor coordination
Sleep or gastrointestinal issues
Unusual learning styles (e.g., strong visual learning, rote memory)
Core Symptoms of Autism
1. Social Communication and Interaction Difficulties
Challenges with social-emotional reciprocity (e.g., difficulty with back-and-forth conversations, reduced sharing of interests or emotions)
Difficulty with nonverbal communication, such as:
Avoiding eye contact
Limited use of gestures (e.g., pointing, waving)
Flat or unusual facial expressions
Problems with relationships, such as:
Difficulty adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts
Struggles to make or keep friends
Lack of interest in peers
2. Restricted, Repetitive Patterns of Behavior, Interests, or Activities
Repetitive movements or speech (e.g., hand-flapping, echolalia—repeating words or phrases)
Insistence on sameness, routines, or rituals
Highly focused interests, often unusually intense or narrow
Over- or under-reactivity to sensory input, such as:
Being extremely sensitive to lights, sounds, or textures
Not noticing pain or temperature
Other Common Symptoms
Though not part of the core diagnostic criteria, people with autism may also have:
Delayed speech or language skills
Intellectual disability or, in some cases, above-average intelligence
Poor motor coordination
Sleep or gastrointestinal issues
Unusual learning styles (e.g., strong visual learning, rote memory)
