Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects how a person’s brain processes information and interacts with the world. It’s characterized by a wide range of symptoms that can vary in severity and presentation from person to person. Some common symptoms include:
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- Difficulty with communication and social interactions
- Repetitive behaviors, such as rocking, spinning, or hand flapping
- Restricted interests
- Difficulty interpreting social rules and body language
- Delayed language, movement, learning, or cognitive skills
- Odd sleeping or eating habits
- Less or more fear toward things than would ordinarily be expected
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While ASD can be diagnosed at any age, symptoms usually appear before the age of three. There is no cure, but early recognition and intervention can help reduce symptoms and support development and learning.