Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder that can vary drastically in severity. ASD can impact how a person communicates, learns, and interacts with others. There is not just one type of autism. Instead, there are different subtypes. These subtypes occur because of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because ASD is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has different strengths and challenges on this wide spectrum. Currently, the Centers for Dis