Social difficulties are one of the key diagnostic tools utilised by psychologists and doctors in diagnosing a person with autism spectrum disorder/condition. These social difficulties include, but are not limited to, uneven language acquisition which often means that a child will miss certain agerelated milestones when compared with neurotypical peers; rigid or repetitive language such as immediate or delayed echolalia and overgeneralisation; deficits in understanding or even noticing non-verbal behaviour such as gestures, pointing or eye contact; starting and sustaining conversations, but often being able to talk at length and in encyclopaedic depth about ‘special interest’ topics; difficulties in empathising with others and understanding
