What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or autism, is a developmental condition that is identified by impaired communication and social interaction. ASD affects one out of every 68 children in the U.S. and it is found more frequently among boys than girls. Symptoms include restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities.
Symptoms
Although the severity of ASD varies greatly, common specific symptoms that identify ASD includes:
- Indifferent to social situations
- Does not make eye contact
- Repetitive behaviors
- Focus on objects
- Insistence on routine
- Difficulty communicating
- Prefers to play alone
Many of these symptoms can appear as early as 9 months old. For example, it could be autism if your baby does not make sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by the age of nine months. As your child gets older, a behavior problem could be a sign of ASD, such as becoming extraordinarily upset with a schedule change. These are generally behavior patterns and not just isolated incidents.
If you suspect your child could be showing signs of ASD, see your doctor immediately for evaluation and diagnosis. There is no cure for ASD, but certain medications are effective in controlling the anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder associated with ASD. Early intervention and therapy have helped many ASD patients by alleviating symptoms.
Read more at www.rd.com/health/conditions/autism-signs/1/
