What is autism?
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 54 individuals in the United States today.
Signs of autism usually appear by age 2 or 3. Some associated developmental delays can appear even earlier and can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Research shows that early intervention, like applied behavior analysis programs, leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism.
Parents may want to contact their pediatrician for a screening if their child shows some of the behaviors listed below:
Problems with communication:
Limited or no language
Difficulty starting or having a conversation
Not playing make-believe with toys
Problems with social interaction:
Poor eye contact
Not responding to his/her name
Not pointing out items of interest
Prefers to be alone rather than around other people or children
Repetitive or obsessive behaviors:
• Repetitive play (e.g., spinning toy car wheels, lining up toys, etc.)
• Unusual obsessions (e.g., only wanting to wear truck shirts, only wanting to use the color green, etc.)
• Repetitive speech/sounds or body movements (e.g., hand flapping, jumping in place, etc.)
