Autism and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) are both terms used to describe a range of conditions that affect a person’s social interaction, communication, interests, and behavior. The main difference between autism and ASD is that autism is a form of ASD. ASD is an umbrella term that encompasses a range of conditions, including autism.
Autism is a neurological disorder that affects one’s ability to communicate, interact, and behave. It is usually diagnosed in early childhood and affects the development of social, communication, and cognitive skills. People with autism often have difficulty understanding and responding to nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions or gestures. They may also have restricted and repetitive interests and behaviors.
By contrast, ASD is a spectrum disorder, meaning it includes a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Autism is one of these conditions, although it is the most common and most widely known. Other conditions under the ASD umbrella include Asperger’s syndrome, Rett syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). These conditions can also cause social, communication, and behavioral difficulties but may have different symptoms and characteristics than autism.
Overall, the main difference between autism and ASD is that autism is a form of ASD. ASD is an umbrella term for a range of conditions, including autism, that affect a person’s social interaction, communication, interests, and behavior.