AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopment lifelong disorder. It’s a spectrum of symptoms that affects people differently and to varying degrees. 

The AAP recommends that all children should be screened for ASD at ages 18 to 24 months, along with regular developmental surveillance.

Children of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups are reported to have autism spectrum disorder. 

Etiology of autism is still unknown, but early diagnosis and prompt support and services can change the quality of a child's life.

ASD can affect social communication, interpersonal relationships and social interaction. 

According to CDC 

• Autism now affects 1 in 54 children in the U.S. CDC has noticed 10 % increased rate since 2014. 
• Median age in children at the time of diagnosis was over 4 years old. 
• ASD affects children of all races, but a gap remains in prevalence  among Hispanic children
• Boys are affected 4 times more than girls. 

Most common features of ASD

• Cognitive impairment
• Poor eye contact 
• Regression of milestones especially speech 
• Social impairment 
• Communication difficulties 
• Repetitive behaviors 

Other and less common features

• Unusual interests and behaviors
• Sensory processing disorders
• Dyslexia 
• Have extreme anxiety and phobias, as well as unusual phobias
• Play with toys the same way every time
• Like parts of objects (e.g., wheels)
• Become upset by minor changes
• Have obsessive interests
• Not respond to their name (the child may appear deaf)
• Not point at objects or things of interest, or demonstrate interest
• Parallel play 
• Want to be alone
• Difficult to understand or other people’s feelings or their own
• Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
• Give unrelated answers to questions
• Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles
• Have unusual reactions (over or under-sensitivity) to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel
• Have low to no social skills
• Demonstrate little safety or danger awareness
• Reverse pronouns (e.g., says “you” instead of “I”)
• Causing self injury
•  Meltdowns
• Unusual eating and sleeping habits
•  Unusual mood or emotional reactions