Autism: Understanding Symptoms and Getting Help Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects an individual's ability to communicate, interact socially, and behave appropriately. Image source: Google Here are some common symptoms of ASD: Difficulty in social interaction Delayed language development Absence of babbling, pointing, or gesturing by age one Not responding to their name by 12 months Avoiding eye contact or facial expressions No interest in playing or interacting with others Repetitive or rigid behaviors, interests or activities Difficulty with nonverbal communication, such as gestures or facial expressions Unusual sensory sensitivities, like being extremely sensitive to loud noises If your child is showing any of these signs, it's important to speak with your pediatrician. They can recommend a developmental evaluation and refer your child to specialists, like developmental pediatricians or psychologists, who can provide a formal diagnos...