Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Causes
- Co-Occurring Conditions
- Conditions Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Dietary Interventions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Medication
- Symptoms and Signs
- Treatment
The autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect an estimated 3.4 children of every 1,000 children 3-10 years old had autism.
All children with ASD demonstrate deficits in
- social interaction
- verbal and nonverbal communication
- repetitive behaviors
They will often have unusual responses to sensory experiences, such as certain sounds or the way objects look.
Each of these symptoms can range from mild to severe, so that two individuals with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis can seem very very different from each other.Each child will display communication, social, and behavioral patterns that are individual but fit into the overall diagnosis of ASD.
Children with ASD do not follow the typical patterns of child development. Some may show early signs of being different from birth. Some other children will appear to have very few signs, and then start to appear to react to people more differently than other children their age. Sometimes, parents are the first to notic that their children’s communication and social skills seem to be delay compared to their peers, and it may be difficult to get others to appreciate the differences. Eventually, as the child with an ASD lags farther and farther behind their peers in social and communication skills, their differences become more apparent.
It is important to remain proactive if you have concerns about your child’s development, ask questions, gather data. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the sooner treatment interventions can be started.