What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder wherein individuals have difficulties with social exchanges, expression, interpretations, and communication. They are also prone to obsessive, repetitive or restricted interests. ASD can also affect learning, physical movements, sensitivities, and concentration. Autism is diagnosed on a spectrum because of the wide variability of manifestations and presentations from very high-functioning people with little symptoms to profoundly impaired people who may need assistance with basic tasks. ASD typically presents before age 2, with boys being 3-4 more likely to be diagnosed than girls. ASD affects around 1% of the global population.
Research continues to explore potential causes of ASD. Genetics appears to play a fairly significant role. Genetic mutations have been implicated as a cause for how cells communicate, and the degree of mutation may correlate with symptoms and impairment. New research explores the possibility of environmental influences such as medications or complications during pregnancy, viral infections, or various toxins or pollutants. Many people have heard about a link between vaccinations and ASD, but to date, there are no reliable studies to support this notion.
What Are the Warning Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Many symptoms are noticed between 12-24 months of age, and some possible things to watch for and consider include:
- Unusual sensory sensitivities
- Unusual body or hand movements (hand flapping, toe walking)
- Babbling or talking in an unusual tone of voice
- Apprehensive to explore and try new things
- May be overly fussy or difficult to soothe
- Play with toys is restricted or unusual
- Not making good eye contact
- Not interested in parent’s attention or talking with them
- Not pointing at things or to indicate desires
- Lack of interest or resistant to cuddling
- Seem disinterested in other children
- Delays in saying their first words; i.e., later than 12-24 months
How is ASD Evaluated and Diagnosed?
Many parents may become concerned early on, and/or their pediatrician may express concern based on well-child visits, during which they can observe and discuss problems with parents. ASD can be reliably diagnosed by age 2. Typically, parents seek out evaluation by psychologists or neuropsychologists who specialize in the assessment of ASD. These evaluations often take upwards of 3-5 hours, and the specialist will observe and assess communication skills, social interaction, and cognitive abilities through the use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), which is explicitly designed to evaluate and diagnose ASD. These tests are designed to not only determine a diagnosis of ASD but also evaluate the degree of impairment, i.e. where a person falls on the spectrum. Appropriate recommendations will be made for additional services that may be needed to mitigate impairments in social, communication, or interactive skills. Many of these services are available through the school systems once a diagnosis is made.
If you would like to get evaluated for ASD by our neuropsychologist, Dr. Christina Franklin, Ph.D., LP, feel free to contact IPC so you can schedule an appointment for a more thorough assessment. Please call us now at 763-416-4167, or request an appointment on our website: WWW.IPC-MN.COM so we can sit down with you and complete a thorough assessment and help you develop a plan of action that will work for you. Life is too short to be unhappy. Find the peace of mind you deserve.
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