Neuroscience

Autism spectrum disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, behavior, and patterns of interest or activities. It is referred to as a "spectrum" because it includes a wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of disability, which can vary significantly from person to person.

Key Features of Autism Spectrum Disorder:

The hallmark features of ASD can be grouped into two broad categories:

A. Social Communication and Interaction Challenges

• Difficulty with social reciprocity: Challenges in engaging in back-and-forth conversations, sharing emotions, or responding to social cues. For example, individuals may not make eye contact, understand gestures, or engage in typical social interactions.
• Difficulty in nonverbal communication: Limited use of facial expressions, gestures, or body language to convey meaning. Some individuals may have trouble understanding or using these nonverbal signals.
• Difficulty in forming and maintaining relationships: Difficulty in establishing friendships, understanding social norms, and engaging in peer relationships. This can affect interactions in social settings like school, family gatherings, or play.

B. Restricted and Repetitive Patterns of Behavior, Interests, or Activities

• Repetitive behaviors: This can include repetitive movements (e.g., hand-flapping, rocking), speech patterns (e.g., repeating words or phrases), or rituals and routines that must be followed rigidly.
• Intense focus on specific interests: Individuals may develop deep, narrow interests and focus on them for extended periods, sometimes at the expense of other activities. For example, a person might have an obsession with trains, numbers, or certain TV shows.
• Sensory sensitivities: Many individuals with ASD have sensory processing differences. They may be overly sensitive (hypersensitive) or under-sensitive (hyposensitive) to sensory stimuli, such as lights, sounds, textures, or smells.