What is a key characteristic of a child with autism spectrum disorder?

A key characteristic of a child with autism spectrum disorder is the difficulty with communication and social interactions. Children with autism often struggle to engage in the back-and-forth of conversations, may have challenges understanding social cues or norms, and might find it hard to form relationships with peers. This social impairment can manifest in various ways, such as limited eye contact, difficulty understanding body language, or challenges expressing themselves effectively in social settings.

In contrast, while some children with autism may exhibit strong verbal skills or exceptional abilities in specific areas, these traits are not characteristic of all children on the spectrum. The same goes for highly sociable behavior, which is typically not present in individuals with autism due to their challenges in social communication. Exceptional mathematical abilities may be observed in some, but this is not a defining feature of autism spectrum disorder and does not represent the broader population of children with the condition.