What is Autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impairments in social interactions, communication and repetitive and restrictive behaviours and interests. Furthermore, people with ASD tend to have communication deficits, such as responding inappropriately in conversation, misreading nonverbal interactions, or having difficulty building friendships appropriate for their age. In addition, they may be overly dependent on routines, highly sensitive to changes in their environment, or intensely focused on inappropriate items (2). However, it is vital to note that not all autistic people are the same. ASD is a spectrum disorder that can occur in many forms and varying degrees of intensity (1; 5.;13). Below are visuals that highlight the varying degrees of ASD (see figure 2) and levels of support and characteristics (see figure 3).