What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects communication and social interaction. ASD is one of the fastest-growing developmental disabilities in the United States, with some studies estimating that as many as one in 59 children may be diagnosed with ASD.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects communication and social interaction. ASD is one of the fastest-growing developmental disabilities in the United States, with some studies estimating that as many as one in 59 children may be diagnosed with ASD.

ASD can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges that affect how individuals interact with others. These challenges can range from mild to severe, and symptoms often appear early in development. Some children with ASD are able to function well and live independently while others need more support throughout their lives.

The severity of autism spectrum disorder varies widely: A child might have only mild problems understanding other people’s feelings or talking about his or her own feelings; another child might have such severe problems that he or she needs lifelong care in a group home or residential treatment center.

What’s It Like to Have Autism Spectrum Disorder?

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 68 children has been diagnosed with ASD — that’s up from 1 in 150 in 2012.

People with ASD have trouble communicating and interacting with others. They may have problems reading social cues, understanding jokes or sarcasm, making eye contact, holding a conversation or expressing their needs or wants. Many people with autism also have obsessive interests and behaviors that can range from collecting items to extreme focus on details or patterns.

The symptoms of ASD vary widely among individuals, but some common signs include:

• difficulty interpreting facial expressions and body language
• difficulty making friends; difficulty relating to others or feeling empathy
• difficulty communicating verbally and nonverbally; talking too much or not talking at all
• preoccupation with certain objects or activities; inflexible adherence to specific routines

What Causes Autism?

The causes of autism are still unknown and may be due to a number of factors.

Genetic Factors:

Autism is often called a genetic disorder, because it’s more common in people who have other family members who have been diagnosed with ASD. Studies show that if a child has one autistic sibling, they may have up to a 10 percent chance of being diagnosed with ASD themselves. If they have two autistic siblings, there is a 25 percent risk; if three or more, the chance rises to 50 percent. However, autism can also develop despite no family history of the disorder.

Environment:

Environmental factors also seem to play a role in the development of autism. Maternal infection during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of having a child with ASD. There is also some evidence that exposure to pesticides may increase the risk for developing ASDs, especially when combined with genetic predisposition.

Stress:

Prenatal stress may contribute to increased risk for developing ASD in children born later on in life, according to recent studies. It’s thought that stress during pregnancy could affect brain development in ways that make it more likely for your child to develop an ASD later on in life.

How Is Autism Diagnosed?

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects social communication, language and behavior. It is usually diagnosed by age 3, but early diagnosis can allow parents to access services and treatment earlier.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is diagnosed based on a variety of factors, including:

• Behavioral symptoms such as repetitive actions or difficulty understanding language
• Language skills and behaviors that are delayed or unusual compared with other children the same age
• Social interactions with others that are limited or inappropriate

Tests for autism include:

• Observation of a child’s behavior in various settings to identify specific symptoms of ASD
• Physical exams to check for medical problems that may cause symptoms similar to those associated with autism (such as hearing loss)
• Auditory processing tests to evaluate how well a child recognizes sounds and words.

How Is Autism Spectrum Disorder Treated?

The treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) usually involves a combination of therapies and medications. The goal is to help the child with ASD learn to communicate more effectively and deal with social situations better.

Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder

The first step in treating ASD is to identify the most effective therapy for each child. The best therapies are those that target the specific symptoms that affect your child’s daily life.

Your child may benefit from:

Behavioral therapy. This type of therapy teaches children with ASD how to behave appropriately in various situations, including home, school, and social settings. It also helps kids learn how to interact with others and develop friendships.

Occupational therapy (OT). OT helps children with ASD develop skills needed for daily living, such as dressing themselves or feeding themselves independently. If a child has problems eating or swallowing due to sensory issues, OT can help him learn how to eat safely by using his mouth correctly and chewing food properly before swallowing it. In addition, occupational therapists teach parents how they can support their child at home by providing alternative methods of accomplishing everyday tasks (such as brushing teeth or washing hands) if he has trouble doing them himself due to sensory integration issues.

What if My Friend Has Autism Spectrum Disorder?

If you are a friend of someone with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is a lot to understand and accept. The good news is that people with ASD can have happy, successful lives, with the help of families, friends, teachers and therapists.

Here are some things to consider:

Be patient. People with autism often think differently than most other people do. They may need more time to process information, have trouble understanding sarcasm or jokes, and have trouble expressing themselves verbally or non-verbally. If your friend says something in a way that doesn’t make sense to you, ask them to explain it again or try another approach. You can also ask if they would like you to repeat what you said (they might not hear what you said because of sensory issues).

Don’t take anything personally! People with autism often don’t pick up on social cues like facial expressions or body language because they’re busy focusing on their own thoughts and feelings. They may say things that seem mean or rude but aren’t intended that way — it’s just how they express themselves! Don’t take offense if your friend doesn’t remember something important that happened between the two of you; this is common among people with ASD who have difficulty storing new memories.