Symptoms and Signs
Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms and Signs
This page pulls together the symptom-level picture of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a way that is easier to skim than the full pillar page.
Main diagnosis page
Clinical overview
- Autism spectrum disorder is best understood as a developmental pattern involving persistent social-communication differences alongside restricted or repetitive behaviors, interests, routines, or sensory styles. The presentation can look very different from one person to another, which is why context and support needs matter so much.
- Two-domain model: The evaluation usually comes back to two broad areas: social communication and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior.
- Developmental onset: The pattern starts early, even if it becomes more visible only when social or adaptive demands increase.
- Severity framing: Support needs vary widely, so adaptive functioning and day-to-day context matter more than any one single trait.