Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social communication, restricted patterns of behaviour, and problems with social interaction. The symptoms of autism usually appear in early childhood, although the severity and combination of symptoms vary widely among individuals. In psychopathology, autism is understood as a developmental condition that affects the way a person perceives, processes, and responds to the social and physical environment. One of the major symptoms of autism is impairment in social communication and interaction. Individuals with autism may experience difficulty in understanding social cues, facial expressions, gestures, and body language. They may have trouble developing and maintaining relationships with others and may appear uninterested in social activities. Many children with autism show reduced eye contact, limited use of gestures, and difficulty sharing emotions or interests with others. They may not respond consistently when their name is called or may not engage in typical childhood activities such as pretend play. Another important symptom is difficulty in verbal and non-verbal communication. Some individuals with autism may have delayed speech development, while others may not develop spoken language at all. Those