Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects how a person thinks, interacts with others, and behaves. It is grouped under a type of conditions known as neurodevelopmental disorders.

Here are some key features of ASD:

1. Social Communication and Interaction:

   • Some people with ASD have trouble sharing emotions back and forth with others.
   • They may struggle with nonverbal communication, like gestures or eye contact.
   • They often find it hard to build and keep friendships or understand social rules.

2. Repetitive Behaviors:

   • They might repeat certain movements or words.
   • Many prefer to stick to the same routines or get upset if things change.
   • They can also have very strong interests in specific topics, sometimes to the exclusion of other things.

To be diagnosed with ASD, these signs usually show up early in life and can make daily life challenging.

In another classification system called ICD-10, autism is listed under pervasive developmental disorders. This means they focus on similar signs but do not go into as much detail.

In the United States, about 1 in 44 children are identified with ASD. This shows that more people are starting to understand and recognize this condition in kids.