What they are
Autism spectrum disorders are a group of neurodevelopmental conditions that affect how a person perceives the world and interacts with others.
These conditions appear to depend on a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is no single known cause, but it is believed that the origin of ASD is complex and multifactorial.
The term “spectrum” indicates that autism symptoms vary significantly from person to person, both in terms of type and severity.
Within the so-called “spectrum” we find Autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder NOS.
Autism spectrum disorders generally manifest with difficulties in communication and social interactions, both regarding verbal language and non-verbal language.
Furthermore, people with autism spectrum disorder often may have repetitive behaviors and/or develop very specific interests in which they seem completely absorbed.
Having an autism spectrum disorder is a complex condition that directly influences a person’s life (as we have seen, it is indeed a way the brain functions!) but with the right support many people with ASD can live a fulfilling life with good quality even in a predominantly neurotypical world.
