It is estimated that 1 in 36 children in the U.S. are affected by autism today. We know there is not one autism, but many subtypes.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability characterized by differences in social communication and behavior. While the exact cause remains unknown, ASD affects individuals across a broad spectrum of abilities.
People with ASD may struggle with various aspects of social interaction, including difficulty initiating conversations, maintaining eye-contact, or understanding social cues. They may also exhibit difficulty adjusting to social expectations, engaging in age-appropriate social activities, and finding interest in other people. Each person with Autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all norm for communication among autistic individuals.
Individuals with Autism may engage in repetitive behaviors or have highly-specific interests. These behaviors may include repetitive speech, or motor movements, resistance to change, and hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input.