What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) contains a group of developmental disorders that vary from mild to severe.  Learning abilities will range from extremely gifted to severely challenged. However, all children with ASD will exhibit some form of difference in communication and social interaction.  They will usually experience repetitive behaviors.  Parents are often the first to notice as their child (from infancy to two years old typically) may make little eye contact  They become focused on one item, express a lack of interest in being held, or don’t respond to their own name and yet respond to other sounds.  Some parents will note a sudden loss of skill or a delay in developing basic social, language, and communication skills.  Each child’s differences are their own but will fit into the overall category of ASD.

Living with ASD

Children with ASD will often play differently.  For example, they may wish to line items up, yet not interact in pretend social playing.  They may be overly sensitive or insensitive to selective stimuli and change.  They may not allow for interruptions and may grow extremely uncomfortable with a change in plans or an ordinary difference in the household. Behaviors can be repetitive which may indicate self-soothing or rigidity.  For example, there may be body rocking.  There could be an array of emotional regulations because of the difficulty in communicating with others. A misunderstanding of social cues or the inability to handle change and stress can lead to outbursts such as self-harm or tantrums.

On the other hand, they are often extremely focused in one area. This may lead them to develop other interests that come naturally to them, but are most challenging to others.  For example, a child with ASD might be fascinated by dinosaurs and will be able to name every single one by the age of three.  This child could build on that intense focus and specificity to become a mathematician, a superb artist, a musical prodigy, or a gifted scientist. The spectrum is wide and early detection and treatment are important to unleashing a child’s potential.

Early diagnosis

Children are most commonly diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder between ages 3 to 6 years old. With the beginning of treatment, children begin training in some of the missing social skills that have been slow to develop. They will also need a special educational plan in school, and there could be a co-existing learning disability or intellectual impairment. Honing the social and communication skills that do not develop naturally is a crucial process of treatment and practice. The sooner treatment starts, the better. Children who start treatment earliest and continue treatment will have the highest chance of developing their full potential.

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