Autism Spectrum Disorder ~ An overview & some general facts
Most everyone has heard the word “autism”, but I find that few people with which I come into contact really know what autism is; only those with the privilege of having had interaction with an autistic individual really “gets it”. I thought it was time to clear things up. This information is not intended for those with knowledge of the disorder, but instead for those with little or no knowledge of it. For those seeking to understand this enigma called autism. It’s a primer, if you will, for those who have wondered, but are too uncomfortable to ask. This is not an all-inclusive document, but an overview to answer the basic questions you may have, a sort of launching pad for you to work from as you expand your knowledge of this mysterious syndrome.
Please note that the terms used in this document are not intended to offend anyone or any group, and are believed to be the most up-to-date and acceptable terms in use as of this writing.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
What is it?
ASD encompasses several neurological disorders, such as the more severe classical autism, the milder Asperger syndrome, the rare condition Rett syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). This group of disorders share key characteristics such as impairments in social interaction, communication skills, and behavior. ASD does not discriminate with regard to ethnicity or socioeconomic status; however it is seen more in males than females, affecting an average of 4 of every 1000 children.
What are the signs?
Perhaps the first signs of autism are the lack of social engagement and interaction. Typically detected by those closest to a child, the lack of social interaction, the intent focusing on an object of delight, failure to respond to one’s own name when called, and repetitive movements or actions often signal to a parent or caregiver that something is not as it should be. Delayed language, seeming disregard for others in the social context, and fixation on a favorite interest or hobby may also lead a parent to question their child’s behavior. There are many signs of ASD, with each individual being unique. This is only a brief overview of some common signs.
What about diagnosis?
Taking the first step to speak to a healthcare professional is a difficult one for parents who suspect there may be something different about their child. If the child is very young and indicators are pronounced (i.e., no phrases spoken by age 2, lack of social responsiveness), often times a need for evaluation is detected at the standard developmental checkpoints and the child’s pediatrician will bring this to the parents’ attention.
In older children with less severe indicators, parents may notice their child's resistance to change of routine, a child’s inability to connect socially with peers, or stereotyped or repetitive behaviors, and seek advice from a healthcare provider.
Questionnaires and parent input are typically used to make the initial screening, and if ASD is suspected, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted by medical professionals qualified to make a diagnosis of ASD (this could be a combination of the following: psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist, or speech pathologist).
There are many different diagnoses that may be decided upon, depending on the individual child’s unique behaviors. Sometimes an individual cannot be placed “on the spectrum” in a neat and tidy manner, in which case, that child may be diagnosed with PDD-NOS, which means they have some signs of autism but not enough of them to fit the formal diagnostic guidelines. Some may be diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome if they have some autistic behaviors, but highly developed language and communication skills.
What does science say about the causes of ASD?
Scientists really are not sure exactly what causes ASD. All evidence indicates that it is a combination of environment and genetics (the nature vs. nurture phenomenon), with specific genes being identified as associated with ASD. Differences in the brains of those with ASD relative to those without ASD have been discovered, and there is some research that demonstrates abnormal levels of some neurotransmitters in the brains of those with ASD. The only thing that we know for certain is that we really do not know what causes ASD.
What is the treatment for ASD?
There are a variety of interventions to help with ASD, such as behavioral or educational, medications, or other therapies. Like the disorder itself, treatment is unique to each individual and must be treated as such. What works with one child may not work at all for another.
Where can I get more information about ASD?
The following organizations can provide exceptional resources for further reading about ASD:
Autism Society of America
Autism Research Institute
Autism Speaks, Inc.
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Institute of Mental Health
Most everyone has heard the word “autism”, but I find that few people with which I come into contact really know what autism is; only those with the privilege of having had interaction with an autistic individual really “gets it”. I thought it was time to clear things up. This information is not intended for those with knowledge of the disorder, but instead for those with little or no knowledge of it. For those seeking to understand this enigma called autism. It’s a primer, if you will, for those who have wondered, but are too uncomfortable to ask. This is not an all-inclusive document, but an overview to answer the basic questions you may have, a sort of launching pad for you to work from as you expand your knowledge of this mysterious syndrome.
Please note that the terms used in this document are not intended to offend anyone or any group, and are believed to be the most up-to-date and acceptable terms in use as of this writing.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
What is it?
ASD encompasses several neurological disorders, such as the more severe classical autism, the milder Asperger syndrome, the rare condition Rett syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). This group of disorders share key characteristics such as impairments in social interaction, communication skills, and behavior. ASD does not discriminate with regard to ethnicity or socioeconomic status; however it is seen more in males than females, affecting an average of 4 of every 1000 children.
What are the signs?
Perhaps the first signs of autism are the lack of social engagement and interaction. Typically detected by those closest to a child, the lack of social interaction, the intent focusing on an object of delight, failure to respond to one’s own name when called, and repetitive movements or actions often signal to a parent or caregiver that something is not as it should be. Delayed language, seeming disregard for others in the social context, and fixation on a favorite interest or hobby may also lead a parent to question their child’s behavior. There are many signs of ASD, with each individual being unique. This is only a brief overview of some common signs.
What about diagnosis?
Taking the first step to speak to a healthcare professional is a difficult one for parents who suspect there may be something different about their child. If the child is very young and indicators are pronounced (i.e., no phrases spoken by age 2, lack of social responsiveness), often times a need for evaluation is detected at the standard developmental checkpoints and the child’s pediatrician will bring this to the parents’ attention.
In older children with less severe indicators, parents may notice their child's resistance to change of routine, a child’s inability to connect socially with peers, or stereotyped or repetitive behaviors, and seek advice from a healthcare provider.
Questionnaires and parent input are typically used to make the initial screening, and if ASD is suspected, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted by medical professionals qualified to make a diagnosis of ASD (this could be a combination of the following: psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist, or speech pathologist).
There are many different diagnoses that may be decided upon, depending on the individual child’s unique behaviors. Sometimes an individual cannot be placed “on the spectrum” in a neat and tidy manner, in which case, that child may be diagnosed with PDD-NOS, which means they have some signs of autism but not enough of them to fit the formal diagnostic guidelines. Some may be diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome if they have some autistic behaviors, but highly developed language and communication skills.
What does science say about the causes of ASD?
Scientists really are not sure exactly what causes ASD. All evidence indicates that it is a combination of environment and genetics (the nature vs. nurture phenomenon), with specific genes being identified as associated with ASD. Differences in the brains of those with ASD relative to those without ASD have been discovered, and there is some research that demonstrates abnormal levels of some neurotransmitters in the brains of those with ASD. The only thing that we know for certain is that we really do not know what causes ASD.
What is the treatment for ASD?
There are a variety of interventions to help with ASD, such as behavioral or educational, medications, or other therapies. Like the disorder itself, treatment is unique to each individual and must be treated as such. What works with one child may not work at all for another.
Where can I get more information about ASD?
The following organizations can provide exceptional resources for further reading about ASD:
Autism Society of America
Autism Research Institute
Autism Speaks, Inc.
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Institute of Mental Health
Creating Clarity & Balance for Parents ~ Visit Debi, an Autism Specialist, offering a transformational system for children with ASD.
