When we hear about conditions that affect development, it's easy to get confused. Two conditions that often come up in conversation are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Down Syndrome. Many people wonder, "Are Autism and Down Syndrome the same thing?" The short answer is no, they are not. While both can affect a person's development, learning, and social interactions, they are fundamentally different conditions with different causes, characteristics, and support needs. In th