Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is characterized by a range of symptoms. These symptoms can vary widely in severity and form, but they typically fall into two main categories:

1. Challenges with Social Interaction and Communication:

   • – Difficulty with social-emotional reciprocity, such as sharing emotions or back-and-forth conversation.
   • – Issues with nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interactions, such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expressions, and body postures.
   • – Difficulty in developing and maintaining relationships appropriate to the developmental level.

2. Restricted and Repetitive Patterns of Behavior, Interests, or Activities:

   • – Stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements, or use of objects.
   • – Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior, or excessive resistance to change.
   • – Highly restricted and fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus.
   • – Hyper or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment.

Please note that these symptoms must be present in the early developmental period, but they may not fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities or may be masked by learned strategies in later life. It’s important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis if these symptoms are observed.