Autism Spectrum Disorder is best described as a lifelong disability with primary challenges in which areas?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is best described as a lifelong disability with primary challenges in which areas?

• A. Social and communication; restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior
• B. Fine motor skills only
• C. Hearing loss
• D. Vision impairment

Answer: (A)

Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined by persistent challenges in two main areas: social communication and interaction, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. In social communication, individuals may have trouble with back-and-forth conversations, sharing emotions or interests, interpreting and using nonverbal cues like eye contact and facial expressions, and forming or maintaining relationships appropriate to their age. In restricted and repetitive patterns, there can be repetitive movements or speech, a strong need for sameness and routines, highly focused interests, and heightened or reduced responses to sensory input. These features typically appear in early development and continue across the lifespan, though their presentation can vary with age and supports. The other options focus on skills or impairments (like fine motor, hearing, or vision) that aren’t the defining combination of challenges used to describe autism.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined by persistent challenges in two main areas: social communication and interaction, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. In social communication, individuals may have trouble with back-and-forth conversations, sharing emotions or interests, interpreting and using nonverbal cues like eye contact and facial expressions, and forming or maintaining relationships appropriate to their age. In restricted and repetitive patterns, there can be repetitive movements or speech, a strong need for sameness and routines, highly focused interests, and heightened or reduced responses to sensory input. These features typically appear in early development and continue across the lifespan, though their presentation can vary with age and supports. The other options focus on skills or impairments (like fine motor, hearing, or vision) that aren’t the defining combination of challenges used to describe autism.