Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

What is Autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that is caused by differences in the brain. Children with ASD behave, learn, interact and communicate differently than other children and they have a very wide range of skills and abilities. Some children with ASD are nonverbal and need a lot of help, while others can communicate and function independently.

A parent may notice ASD symptoms within the first 12 months of a child’s life, but some children aren’t diagnosed until they are much older. The symptoms can be subtle and aren’t the same in every child. Some children gain new skills and meet developmental milestones and then stop gaining skills and begin to struggle.

Children with ASD may have trouble understanding what behaviors are expected of them, struggle with communication, and have unusual repetitive behaviors.

Some signs and symptoms to look out for:

Social & Interaction Skills:

Avoiding or not maintaining eye contact
Unresponsive to name by 9 months of age
No facial expressions by 9 months of age
Not express interest by pointing by 18 months of age
Unaware when others are hurt or upset by 24 months of age
Doesn’t play with other children by 36 months of age
No pretend play by 48 months of age

Restricted or Repetitive Behaviors

Likes to line up toys or other objects and gets irritated when the order is changed
Repeats words or phrases
Plays with toys in the same way, every time
Becomes focused on only one part of an object
Dislikes minor changes
Has obsessive interests
Insists on following certain routines
Flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles
Has unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel

Other Characteristics

Delayed language, movement, or cognitive skills
Hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive behavior
Epilepsy or seizure disorder
Unusual eating and sleeping habits
Gastrointestinal issues
Unusual mood or emotional reactions
Anxiety, stress, or excessive worry
Lack of fear or more fear than expected

Early Intervention & Treatment

Treatment for ASD focuses on reducing the behaviors that affect quality of life and obstruct daily living. Each child is impacted by ASD in a unique way and therefore requires personalized treatment. ABA is a behavioral approach to helping a child with ASD and has proven evidence for treating the symptoms of ASD, is widely accepted, and used in many schools and clinics. Early diagnosis and treatment enables children to have more potential for learning, change, and progress. ABA therapy encourages desired behaviors and discourages undesired behaviors to help children function independently, gain skills, and enjoy a better quality of life.

Diagnosis

It can be difficult to diagnose ASD, as there isn’t a medical test, such as a blood test or an MRI that diagnoses this disorder. Developmental pediatricians will generally ask you questions about your child’s behavior and development to help make a diagnosis. A diagnosis that is made by age 2 is considered to be reliable, however many children aren’t diagnosed until they are much older, resulting in them missing out on crucial treatment and support.