What is autism?
Quick Answer
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that affects how people communicate, interact and experience the world. It is a spectrum, so it varies widely from person to person.
The Full Story
Autism spectrum disorder involves differences in social communication along with focused interests, repetitive behaviours and often sensory sensitivities to sound, light or touch. Psychiatrist Leo Kanner described it in 1943, and Hans Asperger published similar observations in 1944. The WHO estimates about 1 in 100 children worldwide is autistic, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2025 that about 1 in 31 eight-year-olds had been identified with autism. Rising numbers largely reflect wider definitions and better awareness and diagnosis. Large studies involving millions of children have found no link between vaccines and autism, and the 1998 paper claiming one was retracted in 2010.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Understanding Autism — What the Spectrum Really Means"