What is autism

A small number of children appear to develop normally in the first year, and then go through a period of regression between 18 and 24 months of age when they develop autism symptoms. While there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, intensive, early treatment can make a big difference in the lives of many children.

Some children show signs of autism spectrum disorder in early infancy, such as reduced eye contact, lack of response to their name or indifference to caregivers. Other children may develop normally for the first few months or years of life, but then suddenly become withdrawn or aggressive or lose language skills they've already acquired.

Signs usually are seen by age 2 years. Each child with autism spectrum disorder is likely to have a unique pattern of behavior and level of severity — from low functioning to high functioning. Some children with autism spectrum disorder have difficulty learning, and some have signs of lower than normal intelligence.

Other children with the disorder have normal to high intelligence — they learn quickly, yet have trouble communicating and applying what they know in everyday life and adjusting to social situations. Because of the unique mixture of symptoms in each child, severity can sometimes be difficult to determine. It's generally based on the level of impairments and how they impact the ability to function. A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have problems with social interaction and communication skills, including any of these signs:.

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have limited, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities, including any of these signs:. As they mature, some children with autism spectrum disorder become more engaged with others and show fewer disturbances in behavior.

Some, usually those with the least severe problems, eventually may lead normal or near-normal lives. Others, however, continue to have difficulty with language or social skills, and the teen years can bring worse behavioral and emotional problems. Babies develop at their own pace, and many don't follow exact timelines found in some parenting books. But children with autism spectrum disorder usually show some signs of delayed development before age 2 years.

If you're concerned about your child's development or you suspect that your child may have autism spectrum disorder, discuss your concerns with your doctor.

The symptoms associated with the disorder can also be linked with other developmental disorders. Signs of autism spectrum disorder often appear early in development when there are obvious delays in language skills and social interactions. Your doctor may recommend developmental tests to identify if your child has delays in cognitive, language and social skills, if your child:.

Autism spectrum disorder has no single known cause. Given the complexity of the disorder, and the fact that symptoms and severity vary, there are probably many causes. Both genetics and environment may play a role. One of the greatest controversies in autism spectrum disorder centers on whether a link exists between the disorder and childhood vaccines. Despite extensive research, no reliable study has shown a link between autism spectrum disorder and any vaccines.

In fact, the original study that ignited the debate years ago has been retracted due to poor design and questionable research methods. Avoiding childhood vaccinations can place your child and others in danger of catching and spreading serious diseases, including whooping cough pertussis , measles or mumps. The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder is rising.

It's not clear whether this is due to better detection and reporting or a real increase in the number of cases, or both. Autism spectrum disorder affects children of all races and nationalities, but certain factors increase a child's risk.

There is no known biological marker for autism. That means that no blood or genetic test can diagnose the disorder. Instead, clinicians rely on observation, medical histories, and questionnaires to determine whether an individual has autism. Physicians and specialists may use one or several of the following screening tools :. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages autism screening for all children at their 18 and month well-child checkups.

Parents and caregivers can also ask their pediatrician for an autism screening if they have concerns. In rare cases, individuals with autism reach adulthood before receiving a diagnosis. However, most individuals receive an autism diagnosis before the age of 8. For many years, a diagnosis of autism was rare, occurring in just one child out of 2, One reason for this was the diagnostic criteria.

Before that time, some cases of autism spectrum disorder may have been mistaken for other conditions. Although autism is more likely to affect boys than girls, children of all genders have been diagnosed with ASD. Several recent studies investigate the impact of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic disparities on the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

Researchers have been working on autism and autism-like disorders since the s. At that time, autism studies tended to be small in scale and used varying definitions of the disorder. Autism was also sometimes lumped in with other conditions. Since then, researchers have explored the causes, symptoms, comorbidities, efficacy of treatments, and many other issues related to autism.

Researchers have yet to discover a cause for autism. Many of the ideas put forth thus far have been disproven.

Likely a combination of genetic , neurological , and environmental factors are at work, which is the case with many psychiatric disorders and conditions. Autism is a lifelong condition, and a wide variety of treatments can help support people with ASD. The symptoms and comorbidities—conditions occurring in the same individual—are treatable. Early intervention delivers the best results.

Parents and caregivers should seek out the advice of a qualified medical professional before starting any autism treatment. Advances in understanding autism, its symptoms, and comorbidities have improved outcomes for individuals with autism. In recent years, more children with autism have attended school in typical classrooms and gone on to live semi-independently. However, the majority remain affected to some degree throughout their lifetime. When a person has more than two or more disorders, these conditions are known as comorbidities.

Several comorbidities are common in people with autism. Identifying comorbidities can sometimes be a challenge because their symptoms may be mimicked or masked by autism symptoms. However, diagnosing and identifying these conditions can help avoid complications and improve the quality of life for individuals with autism.

Movies and books featuring characters with autism have helped bring autism spectrum disorder into the public consciousness. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.

Autism spectrum disorder ASD , or autism, is a broad term used to describe a group of neurodevelopmental conditions. These conditions are characterized by differences in communication and social interaction. People with ASD often demonstrate restricted and repetitive interests or patterns of behavior. ASD is found in people around the world, regardless of race and ethnicity, culture, or economic background.

A study of 8-year-olds in 11 locations throughout the United States found a 4. About 1 in 54 of the study participants had ASD. There are indications that instances of autism are on the rise. Some attribute this increase to environmental factors.

Compare autism rates in different U. Clinicians use it to diagnose a variety of psychiatric disorders. The most recent fifth edition of the DSM was released in They are:. Symptoms of ASD typically become clearly evident during early childhood, between 12 and 24 months of age.

However, symptoms may also appear earlier or later. Early symptoms may include a marked delay in language or social development. The DSM-5 divides symptoms of ASD into two categories: problems with communication and social interaction, and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior or activities. Autistic people are evaluated within each category, and the intensity of their symptoms is noted. To receive an autism diagnosis, a person must display all three symptoms in the first category and at least two symptoms in the second category.

Get more information on symptoms and how they may manifest in kids. The exact cause of ASD is unknown. However, multiple sources, old and new , have concluded that vaccines do not cause ASD. A controversial study proposed a link between autism and the measles, mumps, and rubella MMR vaccine. However, that study has been debunked by other research and was eventually retracted in Read more about autism and its risk factors.

Screening can help identify ASD in children earlier than later. These children may benefit from early diagnosis and support. Parents fill out the question survey. Pediatricians can then use the responses to identify children who may have an increased chance of developing ASD. Learn more about the tests these specialists use to diagnose ASD.

Rather, for some autistic people, supportive therapies and other considerations can help them feel better or alleviate certain symptoms. Massages , weighted clothing and blankets , and meditation techniques may also help some autistic people manage symptoms.

However, results will vary. Some people may respond well to certain approaches, while others may not. Shop for weighted blankets online. Research on alternative remedies is mixed, and some remedies can be dangerous.

These alternative remedies include things like:. Before investing in any alternative therapy, parents and caregivers should weigh the research and financial costs against any possible benefits. Learn more about alternative remedies for autism. Nevertheless, some autism advocates are exploring dietary changes as a way to help minimize behavioral issues and increase overall quality of life.

A foundation of the autism diet is the avoidance of artificial additives. These include preservatives, colors , and sweeteners. Some autism advocates also endorse a gluten-free diet.