What is Autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests.
There are five major types of autism which include
-Asperger's syndrome
- Retts syndrome
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
- Kanner's syndrome
-Pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified.
What causes autism?
There’s no clear-cut cause of ASD. Research supports genetic and environmental factors as some causes of autism. Scientists believe there could be many different causes of ASD that act together to change the ways people develop. They still have a lot to learn about the causes and how they impact people with ASD.
Autistic people may act in a different way to other people
Autistic people may:
• Find it hard to communicate and interact with other people
• Find it hard to understand how other people think or feel
• Find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable
• Get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events
• Take longer to understand information
• Do or think the same things over and over
Autism vs. ADHD — is ADHD on the autism spectrum?
Autism spectrum disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have many similarities, but ADHD isn’t on the autism spectrum. The symptoms of ADHD and autism can overlap. Both conditions cause children to have trouble paying attention, and both can affect their social skills. These overlapping symptoms can sometimes lead to incorrect diagnoses.
ADHD and autism are related genetically, as well. Having one of these conditions increases your child’s risk of having the other. And a child with autism has a higher chance of having a close relative with ADHD.
How do we diagnose autism?
Healthcare providers screen all children for autism spectrum disorder during a typical well-child visit. This screening typically takes place when a child is between the ages of 18 and 24 months. If they notice possible signs of ASD, they refer the child to a specialized healthcare team. These providers are experts in diagnosing ASD:
• Pediatricians
• Occupational therapists
• Speech pathologist
• Child psychologists or psychiatrists
If you are taking care of a child with autism, you first need to identify the type of autism affecting your child. After identification, you will need to seek consultation from an expert to help you manage the specific type of autism disorder. Children living with autism experience social challenges, and only a well-trained and experienced therapist can help them.