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Autism spectrum disorder[a] (ASD), or simply autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive, restricted, and inflexible patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as well as difficulties in social interaction and social communication.[11] Sensory processing differences can produce difficulties in different areas, such as developing social relationships or performing instrumental activities of daily living. Common associated traits such as motor coordination impairment are not required for diagnosis. A formal diagnosis requires that symptoms cause significant impairment in multiple functional domains; in addition, the symptoms must be atypical or excessive for the person's age and sociocultural context.[12][13] Autistic traits fall on a spectrum, manifesting in different ways, with severity and support needs varying widely.[12][13][14] For example, some on the spectrum are nonverbal, while others have proficient spoken language.[15][16]