What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that involves  persistent challenges  in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors. The effects of  ASD and the severity of symptoms are different in each person.

ASD is usually first diagnosed in childhood with many of the most-obvious signs presenting around 2-3 years old, but some children with autism develop normally until toddlerhood when they stop acquiring or lose previously gained skills.  According to the CDC, one in 59 children is estimated to have autism.  Autism spectrum disorder is also three to four times more common in boys than in girls, and many girls with ASD exhibit less obvious signs compared to boys. Autism is a lifelong condition. However, many children diagnosed with ASD go on to live independent, productive, and fulfilling lives. The information here focuses primarily on children and adolescents.

If you have questions about Autism Spectrum disorder treatment, call us at (919) 803-6320 or contact us online.

Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism differs from person to person in severity and combinations of symptoms. There is a great range of abilities and characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder — no two children appear or behave the same way. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and often change over time.

Characteristics of autism spectrum disorder fall into two categories.

  • Social interaction and communication problems: including difficulties in normal back-and-forth conversation, reduced sharing of interests or emotions, challenges in understanding or responding to social cues such as eye contact and facial expressions, deficits in developing/maintaining/understanding relationships, and others.
  • Difficulty relating to people, things and events: including trouble making friends and interacting with people, difficulty reading facial expressions and not making eye contact.
  • Restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests or activities:hand-flapping and toe-walking, playing with toys in an uncommon way (such as lining up cars or flipping objects), speaking in a unique way (such as using odd patterns or pitches in speaking or “scripting” from favorite shows), having significant need for a predictable routine or structure, exhibiting intense interests in activities that are uncommon for a similarly aged child, experiencing the sensory aspects of the world in an unusual or extreme way (such as indifference to pain/temperature, excessive smelling/touching of objects, fascination with lights and movement, being overwhelmed with loud noises, etc), and others.

Also, while many people with autism have normal intelligence, many others have mild or significant intellectual delays. Also, those with ASD are at greater risk for some medical conditions such as sleep problems, seizures and mental illnesses

Diagnosis and Risk Factors

Early diagnosis and treatment are important to reducing the symptoms of autism and improving the quality of life for people with autism and their families. There is no medical test for autism. It is diagnosed based on observing how the child talks and acts in comparison to other children of the same age. Trained professionals typically diagnose autism by talking with the child and asking questions of parents and other caregivers.

Under federal law, any child suspected of having a developmental disorder can get a free evaluation. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be screened for developmental disorders at well-child preventive visits before age three.

If you have concerns that your infant or toddler is not developing normally, it is important to bring that concern to your primary care provider. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified possible red flags for autism spectrum disorder in young children, including:

  • Not responding to his/her name by 12 months of age
  • Not pointing at objects to show interest by 14 months
  • Not playing “pretend” games by 18 months
  • Avoiding eye contact or preferring to be alone
  • Getting upset by minor changes
  • Flapping their hands, rocking their body or spinning in circles
  • Having unusual and sometimes intense reations to the way things smell, taste, feel and/or look

If there is a strong concern that your child is showing possible signs of autism, then a diagnostic evaluation should be performed. This typically involves an interview and play-based testing with your child done by a psychologist, developmental-behavioral pediatrician, child psychiatrist or other providers.

Scientists do not clearly understand what causes autism spectrum disorder. Several factors probably contribute to autism, including genes a child is born with or environmental factors. A child is at greater risk of autism if there is a family member with autism. Research has shown that it is not caused by bad parenting, and it is not caused by vaccines.

Treatment

While children are not typically cured nor do they outgrow autism, studies have shown that symptoms can improve with early diagnosis and treatment. There is no single treatment for autism. Treatments can include intensive skill-building and teaching educational sessions, known as applied behavior analysis (ABA), and many more interactive, child-centered versions of behavior treatments. Treatment may also involve special training and support for parents, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and/or social skills training.

Also, some children and adults with ASD have other kinds of psychological difficulties at some point in their lives, such as anxiety, ADHD, disruptive behaviors or depression. These difficulties can be treated with therapy or with medication. There are currently no medications that directly treat the core features of ASD.

In addition to treatment, regular and special education classrooms can be changed to help students with autism. Many students with autism can function better if the day is consistent and predictable. It is also helpful if information is presented so the student can learn by seeing as well as hearing and if students get to play and learn with nondisabled peers. A federal law — the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA — requires that special services be available to children identified with a disability. The services can include early intervention, support for birth through three years, and special education for children aged three through 21.

Use of complementary and alternative treatments is common among children with autism, for example, special nutritional supplements and diets. To date, there is little good scientific evidence that such treatments are effective and sometimes they have negative consequences; it is important to talk to your doctor before trying any complementary or alternative treatments.

Tips For Parents

  • Learn as much as possible about autism spectrum disorder
  • Provide consistent structure and routine
  • Connect with other parents of children with autism
  • Seek professional help for specific concerns
  • Take time for yourself and other family members

American Psychiatric Association