Introduction to Autism

Autism is a disorder that affects the brain’s normal development of social and communication skills. Individuals with autism often find it difficult to communicate and interact with others. This leads to difficulties in performing day-to-day tasks, such as maintaining a job or a healthy relationship. Autism usually appears during early childhood. There are three main types of autism: autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Autistic disorder is the most severe form of autism, while PDD-NOS is the least severe.

Why is autism important?

Autism is considered one of the fastest growing developmental disorders in the U.S. Approximately 1 in 150 children born today will be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An ASD diagnosis can have significant effects on all areas of life, including communication, behavioral issues, education, physical health, and mental health. Some individuals with an ASD may require specialized care for the rest of their lives; this can be very costly for families.

As more children are being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders every year, there has been a rise in research to better understand its causes and treatments . Early intervention is crucial for improving outcomes for individuals with an ASD; therefore, it is important.

Social Communication Symptoms

Are you searching for information on how to communicate with individuals with autism? Social communication symptoms can be a significant challenge for individuals with autism. Autism spectrum disorders are brain-based conditions that cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Autistic people may find it difficult to interpret what others are thinking or feeling because they do not automatically use the same social clues that most people rely on.

Contrary to popular belief, autistic people do want friendships and relationships. However, autistic individuals may struggle to understand the emotional aspect of social interactions. They may seem impolite, insensitive or unfriendly when they are actually extremely interested in relating or making a good impression. Depending on the severity of their symptoms, an autistic person may have difficulty making friends and maintaining relationships even if he or she wants to be friendly.

Autism is a spectrum disorder. Individuals with autism can exhibit a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe, and some individuals are nonverbal. Other people with the disorder can have normal to high intelligence, display advanced language abilities, and live independently while others require significant support in their daily lives. Many people with autism spectrum disorders also suffer from sensory integration dysfunction (SID) which leads them to be overly sensitive to certain types of touch or sound.

Social Communication Symptoms:

1) Delayed or absent speech development

2) Repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic phrases/language

3) Excessive adherence to routines or rituals, resistance to change

4) Insistence on sameness, inflexible about changes in schedule or routine

5) Problems with nonverbal communication such as eye contact, facial expressions, body postures and gestures

6) Lack of appropriate facial expressions when conversing (may appear blank or have an inappropriate facial expression for the conversation topic)

7) Overly formal speech style or odd voice intonation patterns (may sound robotic or sing-songy)

Sensory and Behavioral Symptoms

This article provides a list of sensory and behavioral symptoms for autism. Sensory symptoms are the reactions that a child with autism has to specific stimuli that he or she perceives through one or more of the five senses. Behavioral symptoms are the actions that a child with autism displays as a result of how he or she experiences sensory stimuli.

Sensory Symptoms for Autism

* Visual:

– Insensitivity to visual input (may be over-sensitive to certain types)

– Senses bright lights as painful; may close eyes much of the time

– Prefers dark, quiet surroundings

– May not notice when in danger (e.g., on street)

* Auditory:

– Loud noises may hurt ears and frighten him/her

– Uncomfortable with sounds that other people don’t mind (e.g., vacuum cleaners)

– Prefers relatively quiet environments; may prefer music to conversation

* Tactile:

– Willing to have objects touching them, but only if they can touch it back; prefers touching soft surfaces, especially textiles (over rough, hard surfaces)

– May dislike wearing clothes, but will tolerate them if they are loose fitting and made of soft materials (e.g., cotton rather than wool).

What are the Causes of Autism?

There is no one accepted cause for autism, but there are many factors that may contribute to its development. These include genetic mutations, environmental toxins, premature birth, and possibly even the mother’s age at the time of conception. There is also some evidence that suggests that autism has an autoimmune component—the presence of antibodies in the blood stream that attack brain tissue—but this theory is still controversial.

The severity of autism can also vary widely. Many children with mild forms of autism learn basic social skills as they grow up, though they continue to experience difficulties with communication and interactions. Others remain severely impaired throughout their lifetimes but may learn coping mechanisms like self-stimulating behaviors or even the ability to communicate through alternative methods such as sign language or picture.

Diagnostic Test For Autism

There are several diagnostic tests for autism. These tests are used to help diagnose an individual when they show symptoms of autism, but do not meet the criteria for an official diagnosis. The main difference between a diagnostic test and an official diagnosis is that the diagnostic test is used to determine whether or not an individual should be diagnosed with autism. In order to receive an official diagnosis, certain criteria must be met.

Depending on the age of the child and other factors, some doctors may recommend a number of different diagnostic tests for autism. If a doctor recommends a diagnostic test, it is important to comply with the instructions given. Each test has its own set of instructions and requirements that must be met in order for it to be considered valid and accurate. It is especially important to follow the instructions when administering a written or computerized test, as these types of tests often have strict time limits. If you do not administer the test correctly, you may not get accurate results.

The most common types of diagnostic tests are:

-The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)

-The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R)

-The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)

Conclusion

-Increased awareness of autism spectrum disorders has led to increased diagnosis

-Evidence suggests that there is a genetic component to autism, with the majority of cases being linked to genetic factors

-Autism results in impaired social functioning, but people with autism are able to function socially despite their impairment

-Autism does not result in mental retardation and many people with autism have average or above average intelligence

-Treatment for autism can help improve symptoms, but early treatment is key.