How does autism work? People I met with it seem totally self aware and normal
In: Biology
What is autism spectrum disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction. The symptoms are present from early childhood and affect daily functioning.
The term “spectrum” refers to the wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of disability in functioning that can occur in people with ASD. Some children and adults with ASD are fully able to perform all activities of daily living while others require substantial support to perform basic activities. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, published in 2013) includes Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) as part of ASD rather than as separate disorders. A diagnosis of ASD includes an assessment of intellectual disability and language impairment.
ASD occurs in every racial and ethnic group, and across all socioeconomic levels. However, boys are significantly more likely to develop ASD than girls. The latest analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 68 children has ASD.
[https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Autism-Spectrum-Disorder-Fact-Sheet](https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Autism-Spectrum-Disorder-Fact-Sheet)
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There’s people on the lower end of the spectrum who can’t talk at all. This is called nonverbal autism.
Some will make noises like when they’re happy or scared. [https://www.healthline.com/health/autism/nonverbal-autism](https://www.healthline.com/health/autism/nonverbal-autism)
Then there’s people on the higher end of the spectrum who are have the high functioning variety. Despite what people say, aspergers and high functioning autism, are not the same thing because high functioning is not a formally recognized medical condition . [https://www.healthline.com/health/high-functioning-autism#asperger’s-syndrome](https://www.healthline.com/health/high-functioning-autism#asperger’s-syndrome)
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