What characterizes social skills deficits in individuals with ASD?

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience significant challenges in interpreting and responding to social cues. These social cues include non-verbal signals such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, which are crucial for effective communication and understanding social interactions. As a result, individuals with ASD may struggle with forming appropriate responses in social situations, leading to difficulties in forming connections with others and navigating social environments.

While heightened interest in group activities, the ability to form meaningful friendships, and high levels of social engagement may be traits seen in some individuals, they do not accurately reflect the core social skills deficits that are commonly observed in individuals with ASD. The primary characteristic of social skills deficits within this population is the difficulty in understanding and responding to the subtle nuances of social communication, which profoundly affects their social interactions.