Because Autism is a spectrum disorder, it can range from very mild to very severe and occur in all ethnic, socioeconomic and age groups. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females. Some children with autism appear normal before age 1 or 2 and then suddenly “regress” and lose language or social skills they had previously gained. This is called the regressive type of autism.
Early Signs:
A person with ASD might:
Not respond to their name (the child may appear deaf)
Not point at objects or things of interest, or demonstrate interest
Not play “pretend” games
Avoid eye contact
Want to be alone
Have difficulty understanding, or showing understanding, or other people’s feelings or their own
Have no speech or delayed speech
Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
Give unrelated answers to questions
Get upset by minor changes
Have obsessive interests
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
Avoid or resist physical contact
Demonstrate little safety or danger awareness
People with autism may also:
Have unusual interests and behaviors
Have extreme anxiety and phobias, as well as unusual phobias
Line up toys or other objects
Play with toys the same way every time
Like parts of objects (e.g., wheels)
Become upset by minor changes
Have obsessive interests
Other Symptoms:
Hyperactivity (very active)
Impulsivity (acting without thinking)
Short attention span
Aggression
Causing self injury
Meltdowns
Unusual eating and sleeping habits
Unusual mood or emotional reactions
Lack of fear or more fear than expected
If you’ve recently learned that your child has or might have autism spectrum disorder, you’re probably wondering and worrying about what comes next. No parent is ever prepared to hear that a child is anything other than happy and healthy, and an ASD diagnosis can be particularly frightening. You may be unsure about how to best help your child, or confused by conflicting treatment advice. Or you may have been told that ASD is an incurable, lifelong condition, leaving you concerned that nothing you do will make a difference.
Learn about autism. The more you know about autism spectrum disorder, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed decisions for your child. Educate yourself about the treatment options, ask questions, and participate in all treatment decisions.
