Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)s Overview
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, learns, and behaves. It is called a “spectrum” disorder because there is a wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience.
Signs & Symptoms
Autism can look different in every individual, but there are some common characteristics:
- Difficulty with social-emotional reciprocity (back-and-forth interaction).
- Challenges with nonverbal communication, such as eye contact, facial expressions, and body language.
- Difficulty developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships.
- Repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g., flapping hands, lining up toys, repeating phrases).
- Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior (e.g., extreme distress at small changes, difficulties with transitions, rigid thinking patterns).
- Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus (e.g., strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests).
- Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g., apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement).
Causes & Risk Factors
The exact causes of autism are unknown, but research suggests a combination of genetic and environmental factors:
- Genetics: Having a family history of autism increases risk.
- Brain development: Differences in brain structure and function.
- Environmental factors: Advanced parental age, low birth weight, and prenatal exposure to certain medications or infections may increase risk.
Treatment
There is no cure for autism, but early intervention and ongoing support can significantly improve outcomes. Treatment approaches may include:
- Behavioural therapies: Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a commonly used therapy that focuses on improving communication, social skills, and adaptive behaviours.
- Speech and language therapy: Helps improve communication skills.
- Occupational therapy: Addresses sensory sensitivities and helps develop life skills.
- Social skills training: Helps individuals learn and practice social interaction skills.
- Medication: Medication may be used to manage specific symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or hyperactivity.
A List of Adult Mental Health Issues We Treat at Sullivan & Associates
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