Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the brain. It is characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted or repetitive behaviors.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability that typically appears before the age of three. It can affect how people see, hear, speak, think, move and learn.

Diagnosis of autism can be difficult as there are no medical tests to confirm it. The diagnosis relies on observation by parents of their children’s development followed by a review by specialist services.

Autism can be diagnosed as early as 18 months old or later in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. The earlier the diagnosis, the more likely it is that interventions will be successful in improving social skills and reducing autistic behaviors such as repetitive actions or fixating on objects.

The diagnosis may be delayed when the symptoms are milder or when they are not recognized. Diagnosis may also be delayed if there are other conditions such as intellectual disability or mental illness that need to be addressed first.