Autism Spectrum Disorder

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a range of conditions that start early in life and can affect how kids communicate and interact with others. Children with autism have differences in the way their brains develop and understand information, which in turn affects how they function at home, in school, and in the community.

Every person with autism is different, and there is broad range of severity of autism symptoms. For this reason, autism is described as a "spectrum."

Some autistic kids have learning problems, while others do well in school. Some kids have trouble speaking but others have good speech and language skills. Some people with autism have little interest in others, while some want to make friends but have trouble with social skills. Some kids only need a little support while others need more. Whatever your child’s challenges are, resources are available to help you and your family.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

No two people with autism have the same signs and symptoms. Some have mild signs that cause only a few problems while others have severe symptoms that interfere with everyday tasks.

Autistic children often have problems with body language, eye contact, and their senses — like being overly sensitive to sounds or touch, or not knowing when they feel hungry or sick. They may have trouble with social interactions and building and maintaining relationships. Kids may have intense and unusual interests and a need to keep things the same, like meals or daily routines.

In toddlers, parents might notice:

poor eye contact
a child not responding to their name
delayed speech
using only a few gestures (waving, clapping, pointing)
not sharing enjoyment or interests with others
unusual ways of moving the hands, fingers, or whole body
being very focused on or attached to unusual objects
little to no imitating of others or pretending
rituals such as repeating things over and over or lining up objects

Older autistic children might also have problems with pretend play and forming friendships.

What Causes Autism?

The exact cause of autism is not known. It's likely that a combination of different things leads to changes in the way the brain develops before a baby is born. For some people, there might be a link to a genetic difference.

Other things, including problems during pregnancy or at birth, might play a role.

Research has shown one thing for sure: Vaccines do not cause autism.

How Is Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosed?

Doctors should look for signs and symptoms of autism at every checkup, ask about any concerns parents have, and do screening tests at the 18-month and 2-year visits.

If any results suggest that a child has ASD, doctors will recommend a complete evaluation. This usually involves a team of experts that may include:

medical doctors who treat developmental disorders (problems with language, behavior, learning, or the body that happen as kids grow)
psychologists
occupational therapists
speech therapists

The team observes and evaluates kids to understand their language/communication, thinking, emotions, development, physical health, social skills, and self-help skills (like dressing and eating). The experts will also ask parents if they have any concerns about their child's birth, growth, development, behavior, and family history.

How Is Autism Treated?

The earlier treatment for kids with autism starts, the better. Depending on a child's needs, treatment may include behavior therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, and extra help with learning.

Goals include helping kids communicate better, play with others, learn social skills, lessen repetitive or disruptive behaviors, improve learning, be safe, and take care of their bodies.

Before Age 3

Treatment and resources for kids with autism before age 3 might include:

State services. Children under 3 might be eligible for autism services through their state's early intervention program. You and your family would work with a team of experts on an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), which outlines goals and describes the treatment steps needed to reach them.
Therapy. A team of therapists can provide therapy at home or in daycare to eligible families.
Local resources. Hospital-based clinics or community centers may offer autism services. Insurance companies typically reimburse for many of them.

After Age 3

Treatment and resources for kids with autism after age 3 might include:

Preschool help. Kids ages 3 to 5 years old with ASD who qualify are entitled to free preschool services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Local school districts or other learning centers may offer therapy and/or extra learning help at home or in a classroom. If your child is evaluated by the school system and qualifies for services, an individualized education program (IEP) will be developed. An IEP can include learning goals along with behavioral, social, and self-care goals. Special education services are available until your child's 21st birthday.
Services in kindergarten and beyond. When kids are 6 years old, a reassessment is done to see if they still need an IEP. Parents are an important part of their child’s IEP team, and their opinions count.
Local resources. Many agencies and clinics have services to help kids with ASD. Ask your doctor about what's available at hospitals, medical centers, and clinics that offer children's health services; at public and private behavioral health clinics; and at local freestanding autism centers.
Medicine. Sometimes, health care providers use medicines to treat symptoms like aggression, hyperactivity and inattention, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. Talk to your child's doctor about options and referrals to specialists if this is a concern.
Help with communication delays. Many young children with autism have communication delays. So, speech therapy to improve communication and the social use of language (called language pragmatics) can be a key part of a child’s treatment.
Occupational therapy (OT). OT can be an important therapy as many kids with ASD have fine motor delays. They may also have sensory integration issues that can be addressed in OT.
Supportive therapies. Kids may benefit from supportive therapies such as music, art, and animal therapies. These approaches can bring joy and give kids new ways to communicate with the world.

There's little research to show the benefits of many alternative therapy approaches to autism, such as diet changes or supplements. Tell your doctor and other team members about any therapies you're considering or using. They can advise you on the possible risks and benefits.