Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to socialize and communicate with others. ASD is marked by two unusual kinds of behaviors: deficits in communication and social skills, and restricted or repetitive behaviors. Symptoms of ASD start to appear during the first three years of life. Most children who develop autism have difficulty engaging in the give-and-take of human interactions. Symptoms of ASD fall on a continuum, meaning learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of children with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged.

Symptoms may include:

• Delay in language development
• Repetitive and routine behaviors
• Difficulty making eye contact
• Sensory problems
• Difficulty interpreting facial expressions
• Problems with expressing emotions
• Fixation on parts of objects
• Absence of pretend play
• Difficulty interacting with peers
• Self-harm behavior
• Sleep problems