Researchers from Princeton University, the Simons Foundation, and other collaborators have identified four biologically and clinically distinct subtypes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Utilizing computational modeling, artificial intelligence, and a generative mixture modeling approach, the study analyzed phenotypic and genetic data from a large cohort of over 5,000 children with autism. The four subtypes are characterized by unique genetic patterns, developmental trajectories, and symptom profiles, including categories such as Social and Behavioral Challenges, Mixed ASD with Developmental Delay, Moderate Challenges, and Broadly Affected. These findings, published in Nature Genetics, represent a transformative step toward precision diagnosis and personalized care for autism by revealing different genetic programs underlying the phenotypic and clinical traits of each subtype. The research was also supported by the Flatiron Institute and the Princeton Public Health department, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the work.