Autism spectrum disorders (asd)

Those on the autism spectrum exhibit different symptoms from mild to severe. Childhood development is impacted by ASD, therefore early diagnosis is very important.

Autism is a complex neurological developmental disability

…that causes difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive behaviors.

Any child from birth to at least 36 months of age should be screened for developmental milestones during routine pediatrician visits.

POSSIBLE SIGNS OF ASD IN BABIES & TODDLERS

  • By 6 months: no social smiles or other warm, joyful expressions directed at people, limited or no eye contact
  • By 9 months: no sharing of vocal sounds, smiles or other non-verbal communication
  • By 12 months: no babbling, no use of gestures to communicate (e.g. pointing, reaching, waving etc.), no response to name when called
  • By 16 months: no words
  • By 24 months: no meaningful, two-word phrases
  • Any loss of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills​

SIGNS OF AUTISM AT ANY AGE

  • Avoids eye contact and prefers to be alone
  • Struggles with understanding other people’s feelings
  • Difficulty understanding body language, gestures, facial expressions, social innuendos
  • Trouble forming and maintaining relationships
  • Has delayed language development or remains non-verbal
  • Repeats words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
  • Tendency to interpret information too literally
  • Obsession with rigid routines and sameness
  • Has highly restricted interests
  • Performs repetitive behaviors such as flapping, rocking or spinning
  • Has unusual and often intense reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, textures, lights and/or colors

DID YOU KNOW…

There is no medical detection or cure for autism.

Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.

Certain medical and mental health issues frequently accompany autism. They include gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures, sleep disturbances, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and phobias.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates autism’s prevalence as 1 in 68 children in the United States. This includes 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls.

Around one third of people with autism remain nonverbal.

More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined.