The Autism Spectrum

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes several conditions that were once diagnosed separately, such as autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. ASD is a developmental disorder. Symptoms usually appear in a child’s first few years, but diagnosis can occur at any stage in a person’s life. ASD impacts how a person relates to others and symptoms vary in severity. Some people with ASD, for example. need a lot of help, while others need less.

Signs and Symptoms of ASD

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which is the official guide to diagnosing ASD, states that people with ASD have:

Difficulty communicating and interacting with other people
Repetitive behaviors or restricted interests
Symptoms that hurt someone’s ability to function in school, work or other areas of life

Those symptoms are pretty broad. Each person exhibits different symptoms, but common ones include:

Avoiding eye contact or wanting to be alone
Having trouble talking about their own feelings
Not looking at objects when they’re pointed out
Unable to play pretend games
Unable to adapt to new routines
Having unusual reactions to the ways things smell, taste, touch or sound
Losing skills they once had
Repeating actions over and over
Repeating or echoing words said to them

However, there are many ways that symptoms of the autism spectrum can manifest. Some children with ASD have difficulty learning, while others have normal to high intelligence. They may learn very quickly but have problems communicating and adapting to everyday situations. Many children can lead almost-normal lives, while others may have behavioral and emotional problems that plague them for life.

Causes of Autism

Although there is much to be learned about the causes of ASD, the CDC does report some of the factors make a child more likely to have ASD:

Genetic factors
Children who have a sibling with ASD
Certain drugs, such as valproic acid or thalidomide, taken during pregnancy
Children born to older parents
Children with a very low birth weight

Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder

Healthcare providers often take a two-step process in diagnosing ASD. Your own provider may recognize some of the symptoms when you take your child in for wellness checks. Then your doctor may refer you to a specialist. Typically ASD can be detected quite early, as young as 18 months. This lets your child get help quicker.

Although there is no cure for ASD, intervention services can help you overcome developmental delays. Treatment is available for certain symptoms, such as speech therapy for a language delay. Sometimes, you may not even need a formal diagnosis of ASD to get help.

If you’re concerned about your child, discuss your concerns with your doctor. Many symptoms associated with ASD can be linked to other developmental disorders. It’s important to get the right diagnosis to get the proper help.