About Autism
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins at birth or within the first two-and-a-half years of life. Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that it can appear in a range of forms and severity levels. The prognosis for a child with autism depends on the severity of their initial symptoms but can be influenced by early intervention and treatment. For years autism was thought to be irreversible. While autism is a lifelong condition, there are now evidence-based treatments that can help and support people with autism.
Receiving a diagnosis of autism can be devastating to some parents, but for others it can be a relief to have a label for their child's symptoms. However, these strong emotions also motivate parents to find effective help for their children and seek evidence-based treatments in the critical early intervention phase. The diagnosis is important because it can open the doors to many services, and help parents learn about treatments that have benefited similar children. The most important point is that autistic individuals have the potential to grow and improve. Contrary to outdated beliefs, autism is treatable. The earlier these children receive appropriate treatment, the better their prognosis.
Many researchers, clinicians, and parents have investigated and tracked the efficacy of autism treatments over time. While each individual with autism is different, some treatments have shown positive effects for people with autism. Parents should seek out the advice of a qualified health professional before starting any autism treatment.
Diagnosing ASD can be difficult since there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorders. Doctors look at the child's behavior and development to make a diagnosis. ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced professional can be considered very reliable. However, many children do not receive a final diagnosis until much older. This delay means that children with ASD might not get the early help they need.
Autism appears to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but it is generally unclear which genetic and which environmental factors are important. About 5-10% of autism cases involve a single severe genetic defect or disorder, such as Fragile X or tuberous sclerosis. However, 90-95% of cases do not involve a single severe defect, but instead, appear to require a complex set of many genetic variations and environmental factors.
Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD): 25-70% of people with autism also meet the criteria for IDD. Seizures: 25% of autistic individuals eventually develop seizures. Low Muscle Tone: 30% of autistic children have moderate to severe loss of muscle tone. Pica: 30% of children with autism have moderate to severe pica (eating non-food items). Sensory Sensitivities: Many autistic children have unusual sensitivities to sounds, sights, touch, taste, and smells. Sleep Problems: Many with autism have sleep problems. Chronic Constipation and/or Diarrhea: 45% had gastrointestinal problems in a large-scale survey.
