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10 Facts You Need to Know About Autism

Autism has made its way into the news over the last few decades as its prevalence has grown. However, it’s still largely misunderstood by many, and even the scientific community is still trying to learn more about the causes of autism and to develop new and better interventions.

What Is Autism?

Autism, known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder characterized by challenges with socialization and communication, and repetitive behaviors. People with autism fall somewhere on a spectrum, with varying levels of symptoms and challenges.

Symptoms of Autism

The CDC has defined a host of signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child has ASD. Some of these include:

  • Avoiding eye contact
  • Not responsive to their name by 9 months of age
  • Lack of facial expressions and gestures
  • Not playing simple games by 1 year of age
  • Not sharing or pointing out objects of interest by 18 months
  • Not noticing if someone is hurt or upset by 2 years
  • Not engaging other children in play by 3 years
  • Lining up objects like toys in a certain order, or playing the same way consistently
  • Repeating words
  • Obsessive Interests
  • Hand flapping, rocking, or spinning
  • Needing the same routine, getting upset by changes
  • Delayed language and movement
  • Delayed cognitive skills
  • Hyperactivity
  • Unusual reactions
  • Lack of fear or excessive fear

 

Autism Facts

It’s important to understand the facts about ASD, a largely misunderstood disorder.

  1. Prevalence

According to the most recent survey conducted by the CDC, 1 in 31 children have ASD. That number is up from 1 in 110 in 2006. However, this is mostly due to improved diagnostic methods, increased awareness, and a broader range of diagnoses that include less severe cases of ASD.

  1. Gender

Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. No specific cause for this has been found, but theories include genetic factors and differences in brain structure between males and females.

  1. Cause

The exact causes of ASD are not fully understood, but research shows that it’s likely a combination of genetic and environmental factors that affect brain development. Vaccines are not a cause of autism.

  1. Diagnosis

Most autism cases are diagnosed around age 5, but it can be detected as early as 18 months. Some cases, however, go undiagnosed until later in childhood or even adulthood.

  1. Autism Is a Spectrum

Not everyone with ASD is alike. All face different challenges and exhibit different characteristics. ASD can also range from mild to severe. However, all on the spectrum share social and communication challenges of varying degrees.

  1. Autism Doesn’t Discriminate

Autism can affect people of all ethnicities and backgrounds. However, in recent years, rates have been the lowest among white children not of Hispanic origin.

  1. Speech

About 25% to 30% of children with ASD are non-verbal or minimally verbal. One study found that these children showed delayed responses to auditory tones, which is a step forward in understanding the disorder.

  1. Co-Occurring Conditions

Many people with autism suffer from other conditions, including anxiety, depression, epilepsy, gastrointestinal conditions, immune function disorders, metabolic issues, and sleep disorders.

  1. No Cure

No cure exists for autism. It is a lifelong condition, but interventions can improve quality of life for those with ASD.

  1. Success Is Possible

Many children with autism improve with various treatments. 74% of children with autism graduate from high school, and 60% of people with autism were employed after receiving vocational rehabilitation.

Early Intervention is Key

Children with ASD who receive early interventions have more positive outcomes. Interventions that begin at age 2 to 3 seem to have the best outcomes because at that age, their brains are still forming and are therefore more malleable.

Some children with autism who receive early interventions even progress so far that they are no longer considered on the autism spectrum as adults. In addition to receiving early intervention, these successful individuals have higher IQs and better language and motor skills than less successful people with ASD.

Early interventions seek to teach children physical, cognitive, communication, social, and emotional skills. The types of therapies vary, as children with ASD don’t always show the same response to various interventions.

According to the National Institutes of Health, therapies for autism include:

  • Behavioral management therapy
  • Cognitive behavior therapy
  • Educational and school-based therapies
  • Joint attention therapy
  • Medication treatment
  • Nutritional therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Parent-mediated therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Social skills training
  • Speech-language therapy

It’s important to note that although early intervention results in the best outcomes, older children and adults can still respond to treatment and show improvements in skills.

In Closing

It’s important to understand autism, and to avoid the misconceptions such as the vaccine-autism link. If you suspect that your child, or you, has ASD, Health Service Alliance is here to help. We can provide you with resources, and work with you or your child to find the right treatments. With help, it is possible for people with autism to thrive, find success, and live fulfilling lives.

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