How do social interaction differences appear in autism spectrum disorder?

In autism spectrum disorder (ASD), differences in social interaction are considered a core characteristic of the condition. These differences manifest in several specific ways:12

• Nonverbal Communication: Individuals may exhibit a narrow range of facial expressions and often demonstrate poor eye contact during social exchanges.1
• Relationship Building: There is often significant difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships with peers. This can lead to a decreased quality of social connections and, in more severe cases, may result in social avoidance.1
• Social Communication: Challenges in this area are closely linked to broader communication difficulties, which can include a lack of appropriate developmental play and diminished use of gestures.1

These social challenges, alongside communication difficulties and atypical, repetitive behaviors, form the primary diagnostic criteria for ASD. The severity of these symptoms varies widely among individuals, influencing the level of daily support required.132