Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with the world around them. It’s characterized by a spectrum of symptoms, meaning the experience of autism can vary significantly from person to person. Core characteristics include social communication challenges, such as difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication, and restricted interests or repetitive behaviors like stimming and routine adherence. The severity and symptoms vary widely, with some children also experiencing sensory sensitivities or learning differences. Early diagnosis and therapy intervention can support children with autism in managing their unique challenges and strengths.

Social Communication Challenges in Autism:

• Verbal Communication: May experience delays in speech development, limited vocabulary, or challenges with using language for social interaction.
• Nonverbal Communication: May have difficulty with eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, or understanding the nonverbal cues of others.
• Social Reciprocity: May struggle with back-and-forth conversation, sharing interests, or understanding and responding to others’ emotions.

Restricted Interests & Repetitive Behaviors in Autism:

• Restricted Interests: May have a strong focus on a particular topic or activity, and spend significant time engaged with it.
• Repetitive Behaviors: May engage in repetitive movements (stimming) like rocking, flapping hands, or lining up objects.
• Insistence On Sameness: May prefer routines and predictability and resist changes to their environment or schedule.

Spectrum of Autism:

The severity and presentation of symptoms can vary greatly. People with autism may also have:

• Sensory Sensitivities: Over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, light, tastes, or smells.
• Learning Differences: May have intellectual disabilities or specific learning disabilities alongside ASD.
• Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions can co-occur with autism.