Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means it has a broad range of conditions with ranges in severity. It also means that each person has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. ASD is characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. It is also often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues such as gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures or sleep disorders, as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and attention issues. Signs can appear as early as 18 months, but most are diagnosed between the ages of 2 and 3. According to the Center for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 54 children in the United States today.
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