Which disorder appears in childhood and is marked by deficient communication, social interaction, and understanding of others' states of mind?

• A. Autism spectrum disorder
• B. ADHD
• C. Anxiety disorders
• D. Avoidant personality disorder

Answer: (A)

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that typically appears in childhood and involves persistent difficulties in social communication and interaction, such as trouble with back-and-forth conversation, reduced sharing of emotions, and challenges understanding others' perspectives or mental states. These features—the deficits in communication, social reciprocity, and understanding others’ minds—are core to the description, and they tend to be present from an early age and affect functioning across settings. In contrast, ADHD centers on patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity; anxiety disorders involve excessive fear or worry; and avoidant personality disorder is a long-standing pattern of social inhibition that usually becomes evident later in life rather than in early childhood.