Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitve behaviors, speech and nonverbal comunication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States today.

Autism is experienced very different for every person that has it and they all have differing strengths and challenges. Sometimes people with autism can speak, while other times they are non verbal or minimally verbal. Some have intellectual abilities while others do not, some require significant support while others can live completely independent.

Current diagnostic guidelines in the DSM-5-TR break it into three levels based on the amount of support that is needed; level 1,2, or 3. Many people expereience other co existing medical, behavioral, or mental health issues with ASD. Some common conditions are ADHD, anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal disorders, seizures, and sleep disorders.

Anyone can be autistic, regardless of sex, age, or ethnicity, boys are however 4 times more often to get diagnosed than girls. Autism can present differently between boys and girls. Girls typically get misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed due to the different symptoms. Adults can also recieve late diagnosis’, which is difficult to them having the ability to highly mask their symptoms.