Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or simply autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder "characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts" and "restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities". Sensory abnormalities are also included in the diagnostic manuals. Common associated traits such as motor coordination impairment are typical of the condition but not required for diagnosis. A formal diagnosis requires that symptoms cause significant impairment in multiple functional domains; in addition, the symptoms must be atypical or excessive for the person's age and sociocultural context.

Autism is a spectrum, meaning it manifests in various ways, with its severity and support needs varying widely across different autistic people. For example, some autistic people are nonverbal, while others have proficient spoken language. Furthermore, the spectrum is multi-dimensional and not all dimensions have been identified as of 2024.