Autism, also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a complex developmental condition that affects how people interact, communicate, learn, and behave. People with ASD have differences in their brain function that can impact their behavior and social interactions.
Autism appears before age 3 and persists throughout a person’s life. It’s a spectrum disorder, which means it affects people in different ways and in varying degrees.
People with autism may have trouble with:
Communication. Communication and understanding others’ thoughts and emotions might be difficult for someone with autism. This makes it hard for them to express themselves, either with words or through gestures, facial expressions, and touch.
Learning. Autism can come with learning problems, including developing skills at an uneven rate. For example, someone with autism could have trouble communicating but be unusually good at art, music, math, or things that involve memory. Because of this, they might do especially well on tests of analysis or problem-solving.
Transitions. Those with autism may struggle with transitions and changes in their daily routine.
Sensory stimulation. They also have differences in how they react to sensory input, like sound, lights, clothes, or temperature. Intense, overly focused interest in topics or actions is another common sign of ASD.
More children are diagnosed with autism now than ever before. But the latest numbers could be higher because of increased awareness and changes in how it’s diagnosed, not because more children have the disorder. Scientists are discovering more about the relationship between genetics, environmental factors, and biological factors in relation to ASD.
Sometimes, people with autism receive a diagnosis as adults even though they’ve had the condition since early childhood. This may happen when autism symptoms aren’t serious enough to impact someone’s daily life.
Early intervention helps improve development of children with ASD, which may also make daily functioning easier in adulthood.
