About Autism

Autism is not a disease don't try to cure it try to understand it....

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about autism

Definition of Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a broad term used to describe a group of neurodevelopmental disorders.
These disorders are characterized by problems with communication and social interaction. People with ASD often demonstrate restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped interests or patterns of behavior.

The DSM-5………

A child may show early symptoms of ASD if they:

  • develop language skills late
  • don’t point at objects or people or wave goodbye
  • don’t track people with their eyes
  • show a lack of responsiveness
  • don’t imitate facial expressions
  • don’t reach out to be picked up
  • run into or close to walls
  • want to be alone
  • don’t play make-believe games (e.g., feeding a doll)
  • have obsessive interests
  • cause injury to them self
  • have temper tantrums
  • display unusual reactions to the way things smell or taste
  • not making eye contact
  • not responding to their name
  • not babbling by 1 year of age
  • not smiling or showing joyful expressions by 6 months of age

What tests are used to diagnose autism?
An ASD diagnosis involves several different screenings, genetic tests, and evaluations.

Three levels of Autism

LEVEL 1

Level 1 autism has noticeable issues with communication skills and socializing with others.

Symptoms
  • decreased interest in social interactions or activities
  • difficulty initiating social interactions, such as talking to a person
  • ability to engage with a person but may struggle to maintain a give-and-take of a typical conversatio
  • obvious signs of communication difficulty
  • trouble adapting to changes in routine or behavior
  • difficulty planning and organizing

LEVEL 2

The symptoms associated with this level include a more severe lack of both verbal and nonverbal communication skills. This often makes daily activities difficult.

Symptoms
  • difficulty coping with change to routine or surroundings
  • significant lack of verbal and nonverbal communication skills
  • behavior issues severe enough to be obvious to the casual observer
  • unusual or reduced response to social cues, communication, or interactions
  • trouble adapting to change
  • communication using overly simple sentences
  • narrow, specific interests

LEVEL 3

This is the most severe level of autism. According to the DSM-5, those at this level require very substantial support. In addition to a more severe lack of communication skills, people with level 3 autism also display repetitive or restrictive behaviours.

Symptoms
  • highly visible lack of verbal and nonverbal communication skills
  • very limited desire to engage socially or participate in social interactions
  • trouble changing behaviours
  • extreme difficulty coping with unexpected change to routine or environment
  • great distress or difficulty changing focus or attention

What the Autistic child is asking.
1. Be nice
2. Be patient
3. Listen carefully
4. Pay attention
5. Instruct us — but nicely

In short what are we saying?
Diagnosing ASD early and accurately is very important. Early intervention and treatment can greatly reduce the challenges your child may experience. It also gives them the best possibility of independence. If doctors find that your child’s ASD is due to a genetic cause, inform your family members so that they can receive counselling on the disorder.

Customizing treatment to meet your child’s individual needs is most successful. A team of specialists, teachers, therapists, and doctors should design a program for each individual child. In general, the earlier a child begins treatment, the better their long-term outlook.

Autism Treatment Guide
  • Applied behavior analysis
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Social skills training
  • Sensory integration therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Speech therapy
  • Medication
  • Alternative treatment
Why EZAutism
Free Autism Screening