Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a problem that affects a child's nervous system and growth and development. A child with ASD often has problems communicating. He or she may have trouble developing social skills. Genes may play a role in ASD. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others. Autistic people see, hear and feel the world differently to other people. If you are autistic, you are autistic for life; autism is not an illness or disease and cannot be 'cured'.