Autism FAQs
What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people interact, communicate, learn, and behave. It is characterized by repetitive, restricted, and inflexible patterns of behavior, deficits in social communication and interaction, and high or low sensory sensitivity.
What are the common symptoms of autism in children?
Every child with autism has slightly different strengths and weaknesses. Your child might show several of the following symptoms:
- Fails to respond to his or her name or appears not to hear you at times
- Resists cuddling and holding, and seems to prefer playing alone, retreating into his or her own world
- Has poor eye contact and lacks facial expression
- Doesn’t speak or has delayed speech, or loses previous ability to say words or sentences
- Can’t start a conversation or keep one going, or only starts one to make requests or label items
- Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm and may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech
- Repeats words or phrases verbatim, but doesn’t understand how to use them
- Is fascinated by details of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car, but doesn’t understand the overall purpose or function of the object
- Is unusually sensitive to light, sound or touch, yet may be indifferent to pain or temperature
- Doesn’t engage in imitative or make-believe play
- Fixates on an object or activity with abnormal intensity or focus
- Has specific food preferences, such as eating only a few foods, or refusing foods with a certain texture
What is the cause of autism?
Research shows that autism has genetic origins. Several genes or combinations of genes are involved with autism. In some cases, those genes are inherited from parents. In other cases, autism is caused by genetic mutations.
Environmental factors may play a role in triggering those autism genes. Researchers are studying the role of paternal age, pollution, medication, and viral infections.
Can autism be cured?
While there is no cure for autism, high-quality therapy and a supportive environment can lessen autistic symptoms.
Research shows the beneficial impact of certain therapies, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. When the student enters school, they may need a specialized learning environment and extra help during after-school activities.
Why have autism rates increased?
According to the CDC, 1 in 31 children is diagnosed with autism. That represents a huge increase from twenty years ago, when the autism rate was 1 in 150. The autism rate has increased due to a change in the clinical definition of autism, greater awareness in the public, and an increase in diagnoses. Vaccines do not cause autism.
Where can I learn more?
When looking for more information about autism, families should rely on trusted sources on the Internet. Good options include: