Dear Editor,
Children living with autism spectrum disorder (ClwASD)
face challenges in social interactions and communication
across different settings (classroom, playground,
and home) due to socioemotional challenges.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders – 5th Edition mentions deficits in conversations
involving expressive and receptive language for these
children due to abnormal social approaches such as sharing
of reduced interests, affect, pace of communication, social
skill deficits, and emotions.[1]
Lack of facial expressions and poor eye contact
make it nonverbally hard for ClwASD to participate
in communication in social situations. The ability to
integrate body language and gestures with communication
is essentially challenging for most of these children.
Misinterpretation of social cues and language hinders
comprehension of jokes, humors, and metaphors; ClwASD
face challenges in responding to peers and adults by
understanding their emotions and feelings. Many etiologies
are identified for causing ASD, and the spectrum also
encompasses a wide range of intellectual functioning
abilities beyond the neurophysiological changes in the brain.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an umbrella term
comprising a group of neurological conditions marked by
severe difficulties with social interaction and communication.
According to the World Health Organization,[1] in 100
children worldwide suffer from ASD, and 1 in 500 Indian
children receive an autistic diagnosis. With four men
diagnosed for every female, boys are more likely than
females to be impacted by autism. Compared to Down
syndrome, which affects one in 800 newborns, autism occurs
more often. Children may exhibit a spectrum of symptoms,
varying in intensity, from recurring patterns of limited
interests and unusual behaviors to challenges in transitioning
between activities or events, as well as unexpected reactions
to sensory cues in their surroundings. While a cure for
autism is not currently evident, interventions play a crucial
role in assisting children to effectively manage their
symptoms. By tailoring treatment plans to individual needs,
these interventions contribute to an improved quality of life.