1. Introduction

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. Emerging research highlights a critical link between the and ASD, suggesting that alterations in gut microbial communities (dysbiosis) may influence neurobehavioural symptoms. Many children with ASD also suffer from significant gastrointestinal (GI) comorbidities, such as constipation and diarrhea, which often correlate with the severity of their behavioral symptoms. 2. Characterization of Gut Microbiota in ASD

While individual studies vary, meta-analyses reveal consistent patterns of dysbiosis in autistic cohorts compared to neurotypical (NT) controls: