Koustav Biswas

A Natural Language Processing-Based Framework for Autism Insights and Support Systems.

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the way a person communicates, acts, and relates to others. It is also referred to as a "spectrum" since it represents a broad range of symptoms, abilities, and disability levels. Some might be very capable in some areas but have problems with social interaction, while others will have severe developmental delays. Autism tends to emerge in early childhood, most often before the age of three, and is a lifelong illness, with the severity and extent of the symptoms potentially changing throughout life. Individuals with autism often exhibit challenges with social communication, for instance, eye contact, understanding non-verbal hints, or two-way conversation. They can also show repetitive behaviors such as hand-flapping, arranging objects, or demanding strict routines. Individuals have strong interests in certain subjects and can be abnormally sensitive to sensory stimuli such as sounds, lights, or textures. The variety of symptoms differs greatly between individuals, making early diagnosis and tailored intervention essential. Genetic considerations are among the strongest causes of autism. Studies have pinpointed hundreds of genes that are linked to the condition. In a few instances, de novo mutations—random DNA alterations that arise in the egg or sperm—are responsible for autism but are not inherited. In others, people inherit gene variants that make them susceptible. Copy number variations (CNVs)—large chunks of DNA copied or deleted—can interfere with brain development and have been detected in many individuals with autism. Twin research has revealed that if one identical twin has autism, the other also has a 60–90% probability of developing the same condition, highlighting the genetic factor.