Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

A Quick Guide

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurological disorder characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. It varies in severity and is believed to have multiple underlying causes. Common signs include difficulties in social interaction, communication, and engaging in repetitive behaviors. ASD affects approximately 1 in 44 American children and is more prevalent in boys. Treatment options include behavioral, psychological, educational, and skill-building therapies, as well as medication for specific symptoms.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD?

Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD is a neurological disorder that is characterized by consistent challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive and restrictive patterns of behaviors. ASD is considered to be a lifelong disorder. But it varies in severity depending on the individual

ASD is a developmental impairment brought on by variations in the brain. Some people with ASD have a recognized distinction, like a genetic disorder. Other factors are still unknown. ASD is thought to have a number of underlying reasons that interact to affect how people typically develop. There is still a lot we don’t know about these factors and how they affect people with ASD.

Adolescents and young adults with ASD may struggle to make and keep friends, communicate with peers and adults, or comprehend what is appropriate behavior in the workplace or at school. They might be noticed by medical professionals if they also have disorders like anxiety, depression, or Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which affect people with ASD more frequently than those without ASD.

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What is the prevalence of ASD?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1 in 44 American children currently suffer from autism. According to research, around 1 in 100 children have ASD around the world. ASD is 4 times more prevalent in boys rather than girls. However, it is reported to occur in all racial and ethnic groups.

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What does being on the spectrum mean?

People with ASD do not behave, speak, engage, or learn in the same manner as the majority of other people. Often, people with ASD do not have a distinguished appearance from others. People with ASD might have a wide range of abilities.  Since autism is a spectrum disorder, each autistic individual has a unique range of skills and challenges.

For instance, while some people with ASD are nonverbal, others may have great conversational skills. Some people with ASD require a lot of assistance in their daily life, while others may function independently and even work. Learn more about how Stimming Looks Like Across The Autism Spectrum: How To Manage It?

What are the signs and symptoms of ASD?

People with ASD struggle with social interaction and communication, have narrow interests, and engage in repetitive behaviors. Let us discuss below some examples of typical behavioral patterns in people with ASD. Although not all people with ASD will exhibit all of the behaviors described below, the majority will.

Social interaction

Social interaction and communication behaviors can include the following:

• Appearing to glance away or not pay attention when others are speaking.

• Being unable to comprehend or foresee the actions of others or having trouble comprehending another person’s point of view.

• Having trouble changing one’s behavior to fit social circumstances.
• Having trouble keeping up with the conversations back and forth.
• Having trouble playing cooperatively or making friends.
• Keeping a voice tone that is unique, either sing-song or flat and robotic.
• Making minimal or irregular eye contact.
• Rarely express interest in, feeling for, or enjoying things or activities For instance, they may occasionally point at different things or try to show them to others.
• Refusing to acknowledge or taking too long to acknowledge one’s name or other verbal requests for attention.
• Showing gestures, motions, and facial expressions that are inconsistent with what is being spoken.
• Talking repeatedly about a preferred topic without understanding that others are not engaged or letting them respond.

Repetitive/restrictive behaviors

Restrictive and repetitive behaviors may include the following:

• Being different from others in terms of one’s sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as light, noise, clothes, or temperature
• Being easily triggered by small changes in a routine and finding it difficult to adjust
• Displaying very narrow interests in things like motion or pieces of things
• Having a long-lasting fascination with a particular subject, such as numbers, facts, or data
• Having strange or recurring actions, such as repeating words or phrases that is often termed “echolalia”.
• Having trouble sleeping and being agitated are further symptoms of ASD.

So if you feel concerned that your child may be exhibiting several of these symptoms, you should get them checked with a mental health professional who specializes in dealing with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

People with autism may also possess a variety of strengths, such as:

• Being a good listener and visual learner.
• The capacity to retain knowledge for a long time and to study things in detail.
• Thriving in science, math, music, or the arts.

What are the risk factors for Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD?

ASD is caused by a variety of factors. Environmental, biological, and genetic factors are only a few of the many that have been shown to increase a child’s risk of having ASD.

Although we don’t know much about the exact specific reasons, the research shows that the following factors may increase a child’s chance of ASD:

• Being born to elderly parents.
• Having a sibling with ASD.
• Having specific chromosomal or genetic abnormalities, such as tuberous sclerosis or fragile X syndrome.
• Problems during childbirth.

How is Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD diagnosed?

ASD usually manifests before the age of three and can persist for the rest of a person’s life, though symptoms occasionally become better with age. ASD symptoms can appear in some kids within the first year of life. Others might not experience symptoms until they are 24 months old or older. Some children with ASD develop new skills and reach developmental milestones up until the age of 18 to 24 months, at which point they stop doing so or lose the abilities they previously possessed.

Since there is no medical test, such as a blood test, to detect ASD, it might be challenging to make the diagnosis. To make a diagnosis, doctors consider the child’s behavior and developmental stage. ASD can occasionally be identified in children as young as 18 months. 

A proper diagnosis made by a qualified expert can be assumed by the age of two. However, a lot of kids don’t get a confirmed diagnosis until they’re considerably older. Some patients don’t receive a diagnosis until they are teenagers or adults. People with ASD may not receive the early assistance they require as a result of this delay.

What are the treatment options for Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD?

After diagnosis, ASD treatment should start as soon as possible. Early ASD treatment is crucial because the right care and resources can lessen a person’s challenges while assisting them in developing new skills and utilizing their strengths.

Moreover, there is no one preferred treatment for ASD because people with ASD may experience a variety of problems. Finding the ideal treatment and service combination requires close collaboration with a healthcare professional.

Learn more about the Types Of Behavioral Therapy For Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Potential interventions

A healthcare provider with expertise in offering behavioral, psychological, educational, or skill-building therapies may be recommended to people with ASD. Caregivers, siblings, and other family members may be included in these programs, which are often very regimented and intensive. People with ASD may benefit from these programs by:

• Developing their language, communication, and social abilities.
• Learning the practical skills required to live independently.
• Reducing the actions that make it difficult to go about their everyday business.
• Strengthening or developing existing qualities.

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Medication

To treat some particular symptoms, a doctor may recommend medicine. With medication, an individual with ASD may experience less difficulty with:

• Aggression
• Attention deficits
• Depression and anxiety
• Hyperactivity
• Irritability
• Repetitive behavior

We hope you found this article useful in learning more about Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD. Learn more about Common Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders In Autism.

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