Autism

Autism
Autism
Other names	Autism spectrum disorder, autism spectrum condition; Formerly: Kanner syndrome/autistic disorder/childhood autism, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified;
	Autism has many presentations around the world.; From top left: an autistic toddler stacking cans; an autistic figure skater competitor; a child using an abacus at school run by Autism Somalia Center; banker Donald Triplett, the first person to be diagnosed with autism.
Specialty	Psychiatry (neuropsychiatry), clinical psychology, pediatrics, occupational medicine
Symptoms	Difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication; inflexible routines; focused interests; repetitive body movements; unusual sensory responses
Complications	Social isolation, educational and employment problems, anxiety, stress, bullying, depression, self-harm, suicidality
Onset	Early childhood
Duration	Lifelong
Causes	Multifactorial, with many uncertain factors
Risk factors	Family history, certain genetic conditions, having older parents, certain prescribed drugs, perinatal and neonatal health issues
Diagnostic method	Based on a combination of clinical observation of behavior and development and comprehensive diagnostic testing completed by a team of qualified professionals. For adults, the use of a patient's written and oral history of autistic traits becomes more important
Differential diagnosis	Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disability, language disorders, social (pragmatic) communication disorder, selective mutism, stereotypic movement disorder, Rett syndrome, anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, fragile X syndrome, personality disorders
Management	Applied behavior analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, speech–language pathology
Frequency	One in 100 people (1%) worldwide

Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a condition characterized by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction, a need or strong preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing differences, focused interests, or repetitive behaviors. Features of autism are present from early childhood and the condition typically persists throughout life. Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder, and a formal diagnosis requires professional assessment that these characteristics cause significant challenges in daily life beyond what is expected given a person's age and social environment. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, presentations vary and support needs range from minimal to the person being non-speaking or needing 24-hour care.

Autism diagnoses have risen since the 1990s, largely because of broader diagnostic criteria, greater awareness, and wider access to assessment. Changing social demands may also play a role. The World Health Organization estimates that about 1 in 100 children were diagnosed between 2012 and 2021, noting an increasing trend. Surveillance studies suggest a similar share of the adult population would meet diagnostic criteria if formally assessed. Autism is highly heritable and involves many genes, while environmental factors appear to play a smaller, mainly prenatal role. Boys are diagnosed several times more often than girls, with girls being better at hiding autistic traits. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, as well as intellectual disability, are more common among autistic people. Certain savant abilities are also more common in autistic people than in other groups.

There is no cure for autism. Several autism therapies aim to improve self-care, social, and language skills. Reducing environmental and social barriers helps autistic people participate more fully in education, employment, and other aspects of life. No medication addresses the core features of autism, but some are used to help manage commonly co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, irritability, ADHD, and epilepsy.

The idea of autism as a disorder has been challenged by the neurodiversity framework, which frames autistic traits as a healthy variation of the human condition. This perspective, promoted by the autism rights movement, has attracted increasing research attention, but is debated and remains controversial among autistic people, advocacy groups, healthcare providers, and charities.