Signs & Challenges of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
The signs and challenges of ASD can vary greatly from person to person. However, some common areas where individuals with ASD may experience difficulties include:
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Social Communication
People with ASD may have difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication. This can include challenges with:
- Making eye contact
- Understanding facial expressions and body language
- Using and understanding gestures
- Starting and maintaining conversations
- Understanding sarcasm and humor
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Repetitive Behaviors and Interests
People with ASD may engage in repetitive behaviors or have very specific interests. This can include:
- Repetitive movements, such as flapping hands or rocking
- Insistence on routines and sameness
- Strong focus on a particular topic or object
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Sensory Processing
People with ASD may experience the world differently through their senses. This can include:
- Oversensitivity to certain sights, sounds, textures, or smells
- Under-sensitivity to certain stimuli
- Difficulty with sensory integration (processing information from different senses together)