Autism spectrum disorder, commonly referred to as autism, is a developmental condition that can impair one’s ability to socialize, speak and communicate with others.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism. According to the National Health Statistics Reports, a 2014 National Health Interview Survey suggests that it is actually 1 in 45 children. As the number of individuals in the United States diagnosed with autism increases, it is imperative that we continue to better understand this disorder so that we can not only help individuals with autism heal and recover, but so that we can one day prevent the diagnosis altogether.
What are the symptoms of autism?
There are numerous symptoms associated with autism including, impairments and/or delays in cognitive skills and social/emotional behavior. Individuals with autism often are often unable to effectively communicate with others. What's important to remember is that no individual with autism is alike and symptoms may vary depending on the person’s age and the severity of their condition.
Early symptoms of autism in young children can include:
- Not smiling
- Unable to express appropriate facial expression or emotion according to a specific situation
- Not pointing or waving
- Exhibits little to no babbling; inability to speak coherently
- Avoids making eye contact
- Exhibits echolalia (repetitive speech, echo-type language)
- Experiences sensory issues
Some symptoms of autism in older children include:
- Delay in speaking
- Reluctance to be touched or held
- Difficulty in listening/focusing
- Challenged with interacting and communicating with peers
- Cannot distinguish other people’s emotions or facial expressions
Other signs that someone may have autism:
- Struggles to have interactive conversations
- Has difficulty understanding or following direction(s)
- Follows a rigid routine
- Tends to be impulsive
- Exhibits repetitive behaviors
- Doesn’t understand other people’s senses of humor
- Obsesses over specific topics
- Has a short attention span
- Takes things literally
- Has difficulty connecting with others
Of course, having some of these symptoms does not mean an individual has autism. If you are concerned that your loved one is exhibiting these symptoms as a result of having autism, please consider an evalutation by a trusted health care provider.
Not only are there many symptoms of autism, but there are also varying degrees of this disorder. Some people are high-functioning, some are low-functioning, and some are in between. For example, some individuals with autism do not talk at all while others can communicate even with strangers.
As with any other medical condition, everyone’s situation is unique, which can make finding the most effective treatment challenging.
What treatments can help individuals with autism manage their symptoms?
Some individuals with autism may experience improvements after receiving certain therapies. Of course, a treatment may do wonders for one person but not have much effect on another. It all depends on the individual.
Treatments in an autism recovery program may include:
To determine which treatment is most likley to produce positive results, seeking the guidance of health care professional is advised.
