Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by deficits in which domains?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by deficits in which domains?

• A. Social relatedness and communication skills
• B. Motor coordination
• C. Attention and memory
• D. Sleep regulation

Answer: (A)

Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined by persistent difficulties in social communication and interaction across contexts, along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. The statement describing deficits in social relatedness and communication skills aligns with these core social-communication challenges—trouble with back-and-forth conversation, difficulty understanding and using nonverbal cues (eye contact, facial expressions, gestures), and forming relationships appropriate to developmental level. These social deficits are the hallmark features used to identify ASD. While some individuals with autism may also experience motor coordination challenges, attention or memory differences, or sleep problems, these are not the defining deficits used for diagnosis. They can occur, but the key domain that drives the diagnosis is the combination of social communication difficulties and, separately, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined by persistent difficulties in social communication and interaction across contexts, along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. The statement describing deficits in social relatedness and communication skills aligns with these core social-communication challenges—trouble with back-and-forth conversation, difficulty understanding and using nonverbal cues (eye contact, facial expressions, gestures), and forming relationships appropriate to developmental level. These social deficits are the hallmark features used to identify ASD.

While some individuals with autism may also experience motor coordination challenges, attention or memory differences, or sleep problems, these are not the defining deficits used for diagnosis. They can occur, but the key domain that drives the diagnosis is the combination of social communication difficulties and, separately, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior.