What Is Autism?

Autism is a complex neuro developmental disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological, genetic and environmental interaction. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by challenges in social skills, repetitive behaviors and speech, sensory issues and problems with cognitive flexibility.

Autism can be divided into five types: Primarily Classic Autism (preliminary diagnosis), Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). The most common type of autism is AS, followed by CDD.

Is Autism a Disease or a Disorder?

Autism is a disorder that affects the way people perceive and interact with their surroundings. It’s a spectrum disorder, meaning it affects people differently and to varying degrees. The term “spectrum disorder” refers to the wide range of symptoms associated with autism, which can vary greatly from person to person.

Autism is also known as ASD (autism spectrum disorder). It should not be confused with Asperger syndrome, another developmental disorder that falls under the umbrella of autism. While both disorders share some characteristics, they have very different symptoms.

What Does “Spectrum” Mean?

The word “spectrum” is used to describe a range of conditions, from mild to severe. For example, you might hear that someone has a “spectrum disorder” or that a condition is on the “autism spectrum.” The term “spectrum” can be confusing for parents and caregivers because it doesn’t describe a specific diagnosis or condition.

Signs of Autism in Toddlers

The signs of autism in toddlers are often subtle and can be difficult to detect. Parents may notice that their child is not using gestures or pointing to things, has trouble making eye contact, doesn’t respond when called, has delayed language development, or seems indifferent to other children.

Parents of children with autism may also notice repetitive behaviors such as rocking back and forth or flapping their hands. Other symptoms include sensitivity to loud noises and lights, sleep disturbances, tantrums, poor fine motor skills (such as holding a crayon), and food sensitivities.

There’s no single test for autism but there are a number of screening tools that doctors use to determine whether your child should be further evaluated.

Autism Symptoms

Autism symptoms vary greatly from person to person. They can range from mild to severe and they can be different in each child. Some common signs of autism include:

• Problems with social interaction, such as not making eye contact or responding when called by name
• Difficulty communicating, such as not speaking or using words that don’t mean anything (such as “empty words”)
• Repetitive behaviors, such as flapping hands or twisting body movements
• Restricted interests, such as focusing on a single toy for long periods of time
• Trouble with nonverbal communication like facial expressions and gestures

Signs of Autism in Babies

The signs of autism in babies can be very subtle, and a doctor will sometimes only diagnose them after several months or even years. If your baby has any of these signs, it doesn’t necessarily mean he has autism. But it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about it.

If you have concerns about your child’s development, contact his doctor or visit a pediatric developmental specialist at an early age. Here are some of the most common signs to watch out for:

• No babbling or pointing by 12 months
• No single words by 16 months (or two-word phrases)
• No response to name
• Loses language or social skills at any age

Behaviors Associated with Autism in Babies

Babies with autism can display a variety of behaviors that may indicate the presence of autism.

The following are some of the behaviors associated with autism in babies:

• No eye contact/absence of eye contact
• Problems relating to others socially and emotionally
• Not responding when called by name
• Not smiling at people or objects
• Limited or non-existent pretend play (playing with toys as if they were real objects)
• Unusual or repetitive body movements, such as hand flapping, body rocking and finger flicking

Signs of Autism in Baby’s Second Year

A baby’s second year is a time of tremendous growth — and the signs of autism may become more apparent in this period. Here are some common signs to watch for:

• Baby doesn’t reach out to be picked up or cuddled
• Baby doesn’t make eye contact
• Baby doesn’t point to show things
• Baby seems indifferent to social overtures from others
• Baby isn’t interested in playing with other children

Other Signs of Autism

If your child has been diagnosed with autism, you may wonder whether there are any other signs of the condition. In fact, there are many other signs of autism, and these can be more subtle than the ones listed above.

For example, some children with autism have difficulty with eye contact. Others may have unusual eating habits or repetitive behaviors, such as flapping their hands. Sometimes children with autism seem to be in their own world, and they don’t interact with others in the way that other children do.

How Is the Brain Affected By Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Children with autism spectrum disorder have difficulty understanding other people’s feelings or points of view. They also have trouble expressing their own emotions and experiences. For example, a child with ASD may not be able to empathize with another person’s feelings or understand how they might feel if they were hurt by someone else or if someone else was hurt by them. In addition to these difficulties with social interaction, children with autism spectrum disorder may have issues with language development, such as not talking at all or using words that don’t make sense in a particular context (e.g., using the word “juice” when referring to an orange). They also may engage in repetitive behaviors such as rocking back and forth or picking at themselves without realizing it; this type of behavior can become extremely disruptive to those around them.

Early Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder

The most effective way to identify autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is by screening children as early as possible. The current recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is that all children be screened for ASD at 18 and 24 months of age. The AAP also recommends screening for autism at any time a parent or provider has concerns about possible developmental problems.

If your child is already receiving services from Early Intervention or other early childhood programs, your provider will screen for ASD. If you have not been screened for ASD, or if your child is not yet eligible for these programs, you can request a screening from your pediatrician or from another qualified professional who sees your child often.

Autism Diagnosis: Speech Problems

Speech problems can be one of the first signs of autism. It is estimated that between 40% and 60% of children with autism have some sort of speech delay or disorder. The severity of these problems varies widely from one child to another, but there are some common patterns that can help determine whether your child may have a developmental disorder.

Language Problems

Children with autism often have trouble using language to communicate their needs, understand what others are saying to them, and process information from their environment. They may exhibit delayed speech development or not speak at all, both of which can be early signs of autism.

In addition to having difficulty using spoken language, children with autism often use language in an unusual way or with odd intonation patterns. For example, they may repeat the same word over and over again (echolalia), use words incorrectly (semantic pronominal reversal), or substitute one word for another (“mama” instead of “daddy”). Children with severe autism may not speak at all but instead rely on pointing or other gestures as their main form of communication.

Autism Diagnosis: Poor Social Skills

Social skills are important in every aspect of life. To get along well with others, you need to be able to communicate effectively and understand what other people are thinking and feeling. If you have poor social skills, it can be difficult to make friends, find a job and even stay married. People with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism often have social skills deficits.

The cause of poor social skills in people with autism is unknown, but it may be due to differences in brain function or structure. The brains of children with autism may develop differently from those of other children because they have an impaired response to external stimuli such as touch, sound or vision. The brain regions responsible for processing these external stimuli may not mature properly during childhood, leading to delayed development of social skills.

Poor verbal communication is a major symptom of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), especially in children who have not yet developed language skills. Children with ASDs may become agitated when they don’t understand instructions or comments made by others; they may also speak at length but fail to convey the meaning behind their words. Some children with ASDs speak in monotone voices that lack emotion; others repeat words over and over again (echolalia).

Autism Diagnosis: Evaluation

The evaluation process will include a physical examination, developmental assessment, and interviews with parents and teachers. Other tests may be done if needed.

Diagnosis: Ruling out Other Disorders

Your child’s doctor will ask about your child’s medical history, including any known medical conditions or family medical history. He or she will also ask you questions about your child’s behavior and development, such as when he or she started talking and how he or she interacts with others. Your doctor may ask you to fill out a questionnaire about your child’s behavior or take part in a diagnostic interview.

During a physical examination, your doctor will look for signs of problems with coordination (such as poor eye-hand coordination), abnormal muscle tone (hypertonia), and unusual movements (dystonia). He or she may also observe how your child interacts with people and toys in the office setting and suggest ways for you to interact with him or her at home so that your child’s behaviors can be better understood by others who do not know him or her well.

Autism Treatment: Behavior Programs

Autism treatment may include some or all of the following:

Behavior programs. These are designed to help children learn how to understand social cues and manage their emotions. They also teach practical life skills such as how to play with toys and interact with other children in a group setting.

Social skills training (SST). This teaches children how to recognize emotions in others and respond appropriately. Children may also practice situations that could be challenging for them, such as staying calm during an argument or sharing a toy with another child. This can help reduce problem behaviors like aggression towards other children or adults. Social skills training isn’t just for kids with autism — it’s also used to help kids who have trouble interacting with others due to things like ADHD or anxiety disorders.

Occupational therapy (OT). OT helps children develop fine motor skills (like writing), gross motor skills (like walking), sensory processing, and self-care skills (like dressing themselves).

Autism Treatment: Education

Special education is a place for students who may need extra help learning either because they have a disability or because they’re behind academically. These programs may be at a school or in a separate facility, but either way, they can be very helpful to kids with autism.

The goal of special education is to figure out what type of help each student needs and then provide it. Special education teachers and specialists work together to create individualized education plans (IEPs) for each child. The IEP spells out the goals for each student’s education, as well as what services will be provided (such as speech therapy), how often they’ll be provided (daily or weekly), and who is responsible for providing them (a parent or teacher).

Autism Treatment: Medication

Medications used to treat symptoms of autism include:

Antipsychotic drugs. Antipsychotic drugs, such as risperidone and aripiprazole, help control irritability, aggression and other behavior problems that can be part of autism. They don’t cure autism but may help people with it function better in social situations.

Antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), are sometimes used to treat repetitive behaviors and problems with attention or memory. Antidepressants aren’t used for treating aggressive behavior or self-injury; these problems are usually treated with antipsychotic drugs instead.

Stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin) may be prescribed for hyperactivity in some children with autism. Stimulants can cause side effects such as weight loss, irritability and insomnia in some children.

Autism Treatment: Sensory Integration

Sensory integration is a process that helps children with autism to process information from their senses. It includes making sense of new information, organizing it, and responding appropriately. This process can be disrupted in children with autism because they may have sensory processing difficulties. Sensory integration therapy is based on the theory that the nervous system is constantly receiving feedback from its environment. When this feedback is disrupted or distorted, problems occur in the way we make sense of our world, organize information and respond to it.

Sensory integration therapy helps children with autism by using different types of activities to help them learn how to process information from their senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell). This therapy helps children make sense of their world by giving them tools such as eye movement exercises and auditory stimulation techniques. Children can also benefit from multisensory activities that involve movement and touch such as swinging or rocking.

Autism and Assistive Technology

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including Asperger syndrome, often have difficulty with communication. They may have trouble speaking, or they might have difficulty understanding spoken language or body language. They may also have trouble understanding the thoughts and feelings of others. Some people with ASD are very sensitive to loud noises, touch, or certain smells.

Some people with ASD need help with daily activities such as eating and dressing themselves. Others can live independently as adults but still need help with some jobs or activities in their daily lives.

The following information provides a summary of assistive technology devices available for use by people who are autistic or have other developmental disabilities.

Communication Devices: There are many types of communication devices that can help people communicate more easily. Some examples include:

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices (also called augmentative communicative devices (ACDs)). These devices include picture cards, letter boards, keyboards, switches and other tools that can be used to help someone communicate by typing words or selecting pictures on a screen.

Autism and Diet

There is no known dietary treatment for autism. However, the following diet may help some children with autism spectrum disorders:

The Feingold Diet

The Feingold diet is named after Dr. Ben F. Feingold, a pediatric allergist who discovered that artificial colors and flavors can trigger hyperactivity in susceptible children. The Feingold diet eliminates artificial colors, flavors and preservatives from foods consumed by children with ADHD. Some parents have found that this diet also helps their child with ASD.

Food Allergies

Food allergies can cause behavioral changes in some children with ASD. Food allergies to milk, wheat, soy or eggs may cause diarrhea or constipation that can lead to irritability and tantrums. Food allergies to peanuts or tree nuts can cause hives or eczema that make a child feel uncomfortable and irritable. If you think your child has a food allergy, consult your doctor about testing for it as well as eliminating it from his diet (if necessary).

Unorthodox Autism Treatments

Therapies for autism are considered mainstream when they have been researched and found to be effective by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Other treatments are considered unorthodox because they haven’t been studied enough to know if they’re safe or effective.

These treatments may actually cause harm. Unorthodox autism treatments can include:

Chelation therapy: This treatment involves injecting chelation agents into the body, which bind to heavy metals. The theory behind this treatment is that these metals are causing symptoms in autistic patients and removing them will help improve behavior. However, there is no evidence for this treatment being effective for any condition.

Gluten-free/dairy-free diets: Some parents have reported improvements in their children’s behaviors after starting a gluten-free diet or removing dairy products from their diets. This may be because they are seeing an improvement due to the placebo effect (believing the treatment will work). Or it may be because of other changes made at the same time as following a special diet — such as increasing exercise or reducing stress — rather than due to avoiding gluten or dairy products alone.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room or chamber filled with air enriched with extra oxygen molecules (compared with normal air pressure).

What Causes Autism?

Autism spectrum disorders develop from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Researchers believe that there are multiple causes for autism, including:

Genetics

Scientists have identified several genes that are associated with autism spectrum disorders, but none has been shown to be responsible for all cases of autism. It appears that some people inherit changes (mutations) in certain genes that make them more susceptible to developing autism spectrum disorders. These mutations can be passed down through generations without affecting anyone until the child born with them has an environmental factor that triggers symptoms — such as having older siblings who have been diagnosed with an ASD.

Environment

Environmental factors can include any event or condition that affects a child’s normal development before birth or during infancy and toddlerhood — including exposure to certain chemicals (such as pesticides), infections (such as rubella), trauma (such as head injuries).

Is Autism Genetic?

Autism may run in families, but it’s not always inherited from your parents. In fact, most forms of autism aren’t genetic at all. In other words, if you have one child with autism, there’s no guarantee that your next child will also have it — even if he or she has an identical twin who does have it.

Genetic factors do play a role in some types of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the majority of autistic children don’t have any family history at all. Instead of being inherited from parents or siblings, these genes appear spontaneously in the child himself or herself without any relation to their parents’ genes.

The genetic cause for ASD remains elusive because environmental factors such as infections or nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy can trigger changes in gene expression that affect brain development before birth.

Vaccines Don’t Cause Autism

Vaccines have been blamed for a wide range of illnesses and conditions, some of which are quite serious. One of the most common vaccine-related concerns is that they cause autism. But there’s no evidence to support this claim.

Studies have shown that children who receive the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine are no more likely than unvaccinated children to develop autism or other behavioral disorders. In fact, vaccinated children may be less likely to develop these disorders than unvaccinated children. A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that vaccinated children had lower rates of all types of non-specific gastrointestinal disorders than unvaccinated children.

Although there’s no evidence linking vaccines with autism, there’s also no evidence that vaccines don’t cause autism either.

Autism Clinical Trials

These studies are conducted in a clinical setting where participants receive treatment under the direct supervision of medical professionals. They are designed to determine whether a new treatment or therapy might help improve symptoms associated with ASD.