About Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Name of the medical condition and other names that it’s been known by

• Autism

• ASD

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Asperger's Syndrome (AS)

• Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)

 

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a brain development condition that affects how a person interacts with others, communicates, learns, and behaves. It's called a "spectrum" disorder because it can look different in each person. Some people with ASD might need a lot of help in their daily lives, while others might need less support.

 

People with ASD often have trouble with social skills. They might find it hard to understand facial expressions or tone of voice. They might also have trouble starting or keeping conversations going. Many people with ASD like to stick to routines and may get upset when things change unexpectedly.

 

Another common trait is having an intense interest in specific topics. For example, a person with ASD might know everything there is to know about trains or dinosaurs. They might talk about these topics often, even when others aren't as interested.

 

Some people with ASD are very sensitive to certain sounds, lights, textures, or smells. These sensations might bother them more than they would bother other people. On the other hand, some people with ASD might not react much to pain or temperature changes.

 

It's important to remember that ASD is not an illness or disease. It's just a different way that some brains develop. People with ASD have many strengths and abilities, just like everyone else. With the right support, people with ASD can lead happy and fulfilling lives.

 

How is it diagnosed?

• Doctors watch how a child behaves, talks, and plays
• Parents answer questions about their child's development
• Doctors check if the child has met typical milestones for their age
• Special tests might be done to check language and thinking skills
• Doctors look for signs of ASD, like trouble with eye contact or repetitive behaviors
• Sometimes, genetic tests are done to rule out other conditions
• A team of specialists often works together to make a diagnosis
• There's no single medical test that can diagnose ASD

 

How is it treated?

• Special education programs at school
• Speech therapy to help with communication
• Occupational therapy to help with daily living skills
• Behavioral therapy to teach social skills and reduce problem behaviors
• Social skills groups to practice interacting with others
• Medications to help with specific symptoms like anxiety or attention problems
• Parent training to help families support their child at home
• Sensory integration therapy for those with sensory sensitivities
• Alternative communication methods like picture cards or devices for non-verbal individuals

 

Trend

• In the United States, about 1 in 36 children have ASD, according to the latest data from the CDC
• In the last five years, the number of people diagnosed with ASD has increased
• Experts think this increase is mainly because we're better at spotting ASD now
• In five years, it's likely that even more people will be diagnosed with ASD as we get even better at recognizing it

 

History

People have probably always had ASD, but we didn't always have a name for it.

 

In the 1940s, two doctors named Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger first described autism in children. For a long time, people thought autism was very rare and only affected people who needed a lot of support.

 

In the 1980s, we started to understand that autism could look different in different people. We realized it was more common than we thought.

 

In the 1990s and 2000s, more people started learning about autism. Schools began providing more support for students with ASD.

 

In 2013, the way we diagnose ASD changed. Instead of having separate diagnoses like Asperger's syndrome, everything was put under one name: Autism Spectrum Disorder. This helped people understand that autism is a spectrum with many different ways it can look.

 

Today, we know much more about ASD than we used to. We're still learning more every day about how to best support people with ASD and help them reach their full potential.

 

Autism Spectrum Disorder - Source of Information

• Autism Society https://autismsociety.org/

• Autism Speaks https://www.autismspeaks.org/

• Centers for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/autism/

• National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd

• US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/nih-almanac/eunice-kennedy-shriver-national-institute-child-health-human-development-nichd

 

For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.