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The autism spectrum is a range of neurodevelopmental conditions primarily characterized by a wide range of difficulties in social interactions, differences in communication, presentations of rigid and repetitive behavior, and in many cases, restricted, excessive or strange obsessions or interests. Unusual responses to sensory input, including high or low sensitivity, sensory discrimination, and sensory-based motor differences are also highly prevalent. It is commonly referred to as autism and officially designated autism spectrum disorder.
A spectrum disorder is one that can manifest very differently from person to person: any given person is likely to show some, but not all of the characteristics associated with it, and may show them to very different degrees. Different autistic people might show strikingly different characteristics, and the same person may also present differently at different times. The autism spectrum was historically divided into sub-categories, but there were persistent questions over the validity of these divisions, and the most recent editions of the major English-language diagnostic manuals, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and International Classification of Diseases both list ASD as a single disorder.
There is some dispute over the appropriateness of the term disorder, and many sources prefer to use autism or autism spectrum conditions rather than ASD. While psychiatry traditionally classifies autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder, certain advocates see autism as part of neurodiversity, the natural diversity in human thinking, and experience. On this view, promoted by the autism rights movement, there is not necessarily anything wrong with an autistic person, but this does not preclude them being disabled and potentially having high support needs. This relatively positive view of autism has led to a certain degree of friction between autistic individuals, advocates, and charities.
The causes of autism aren't well understood, but are likely linked to altered structures of the brain at birth. There is no official cure for autism, so treatment focuses on, for example, finding and learning other modes of communication in a non-verbal autist.