Autism

Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a <a href="/facts/Neurodevelopmental_disorder/vfBhK1S6">neurodevelopmental disorder</a> characterized by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction, a preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing differences, <a href="/facts/Special_interest_(autism)/lXpTal2n">focused interests</a>, and repetitive behaviors, which may include <a href="/facts/Stimming/jnAUG03n">stimming</a>. Formal <a href="/facts/Diagnosis_of_autism/WDgHIyxN">diagnosis</a> requires significant challenges in multiple domains of life, with characteristics that are atypical or more pronounced than expected for one's age and <a href="/facts/Sociocultural_context/FQwohJQF">sociocultural context</a>. Motor coordination difficulties are common but not required for diagnosis. Autism is a <a href="/facts/Spectrum_disorder/ltEzWjDE">spectrum disorder</a>, resulting in wide variations in presentation and support needs, such as that between speaking and <a href="/facts/Nonverbal_autism/9lgr9C0F">non-speaking</a> populations.
Increased estimates of <a href="/facts/Epidemiology_of_autism/ELQ9KjEj">autism prevalence</a> since the 1990s are primarily attributed to broader criteria and increased awareness, although a true rise in prevalence is possible. The <a href="/facts/World_Health_Organization/YNN3bgug">World Health Organization</a> estimates about 1 in 100 children were diagnosed between 2012 and 2021, noting an increasing trend. This rise has fueled <a href="/facts/Anti-vaccine_activists/qxPLoTXg">anti-vaccine activists</a>' disproven claim that <a href="/facts/Vaccines_and_autism/AMx3b3Ch">vaccines cause autism</a>. While precise <a href="/facts/Causes_of_autism/Np688Vx8">causes</a> are mostly unknown, research shows that autism is <a href="/facts/Heritability_of_autism/9o1ej0Pr">highly heritable</a> and polygenic. Environmental factors play a relatively small role, mainly prenatally. Boys are diagnosed <a href="/facts/Sex_and_gender_differences_in_autism/tBVRKdTR">significantly more often than girls</a>. Autism frequently co-occurs with <a href="/facts/Attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder/uSqjIyhd">attention deficit hyperactivity disorder</a> (ADHD), <a href="/facts/Epilepsy/wawyp56a">epilepsy</a>, and <a href="/facts/Intellectual_disability/IuuYXdT1">intellectual disability</a>.
There is no known cure for autism, and there are advocates who oppose pursuing one. Interventions such as <a href="/facts/Applied_behavior_analysis/4wPnh8sV">applied behavior analysis</a>, <a href="/facts/Speech_therapy/VDaK0JCk">speech therapy</a>, and <a href="/facts/Occupational_therapy/eKTxd7kM">occupational therapy</a> can help increase self-care, social, and language skills. Reducing environmental and social barriers enables autistic people to participate more fully in <a href="/facts/Education/WIwsQKF9">education</a>, <a href="/facts/Employment_of_autistic_people/dgmlQvzc">employment</a>, and other aspects of life. Medications can alleviate some <a href="/facts/Comorbid/tX5TvuKJ">co-occurring</a> problems.
The view of autism as a disorder has been challenged by the <a href="/facts/Neurodiversity/l0D2HlDr">neurodiversity</a> paradigm, which frames autistic traits as a healthy variation of the human condition. This view is supported by the <a href="/facts/Autism_rights_movement/PKK5FaU0">autism rights movement</a>, whose paradigm researchers have recently increasingly adopted. The neurodiversity framework has sparked significant debate and controversy among autistic people, advocacy groups, healthcare providers, and charities.

Autism open-in-new

Autism