Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by impairment in social interaction and communication along with repetitive, restricted, and stereotyped behaviors, interests and activities. Early detection of this condition and prompt targeted treatments have shown improvements among the children. This study aims to report on age at onset, early signs, and mode at onset among patients with autism spectrum disorder in Nepalese community. This prospective cross-sectional study conducted based on five categories of symptoms at onset: Social interaction and relationships, language, stereotyped behavior and activities, motor skills, and feeding regulation. The age at onset, the category of clinical features, and the mode at onset were considered which was followed by categorization of level of ASD based on Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS -2). Statistical analysis was performed utilizing Fisher Exact test and Chi Square test. Ethical approval was taken from NHRC prior to the conduction of the study

Dr. Manju Shrestha has completed her MBBS at the age of 23 years from Zhengzhou University, Henan and postdoctoral studies (MD in Pediatrics) from Kathmandu University School of Medicine, Nepal. She is the medical director of Centre For Autism, a premier non- profit organization and also a founder and chairperson of Bhaktapur Neo clinic. She also works at Annapurna Neuro hospital one of the best Neuro hospitals in Kathmandu. She has finished her observership in pediatric neurology from Kanti Children’s Hospital, Nepal. She has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals.