Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is when some people’s brains work a bit differently. Some people have ASD because of how their genes are, while we’re not sure why others have it yet. Scientists think a bunch of things together make ASD happen and change how people grow up. We’re still figuring out these reasons and how they affect people with ASD.
People with ASD might do things, talk, play, and learn in ways that aren’t the same as most other people. But you can’t always tell just by looking at them. People with ASD can be really good at some things, like talking, while others might not talk at all. Some might need a lot of help every day, while others can do things on their own.
ASD starts before a person is 3 years old and can stay with them their whole life, although things might get better as they grow up. Some kids show signs of ASD when they’re less than a year old. Others might not show signs until they’re 2 years old or even older. Some kids with ASD learn new things and do cool stuff until they’re around 1.5 to 2 years old, and then they might not learn as much or forget some things.
What causes autism?
What makes autism happen is a bit of a mystery. Some things, like genes and the environment, might play a part. Scientists think a bunch of different stuff might come together to make autism, and this can change how people grow up. But there’s still a lot we’re figuring out about why it happens and how it affects people with autism.
Diagnosis:
When kids are very young, sometimes parents or doctors notice signs of a special way of growing up called autism. These signs can show up even before a child turns 1-year-old, but they usually become clearer when the child is around 2 or 3 years old. Sometimes, a child might seem fine until they start going to school, and then it becomes more obvious that they have autism when compared to their classmates.
Here are some signs that might show a child has autism when it comes to talking and playing with others:
- Not sharing things they’re interested in
- Finding it hard to understand their feelings or other people’s feelings
- Not looking into people’s eyes
- Having trouble using body language like gestures
- Speaking in a way that seems unusual or repeating the same words
- Taking things too literally, not understanding jokes or figures of speech
- Having a tough time making friends and keeping them
There are also signs related to their behavior and what they like to do:
- Not being able to change their routines easily
- Really liking only a few things and not caring about other stuff
- Thinking everyone should be as interested in their favorite things as they are
- Not liking changes in their schedule or new things
- Being extra sensitive to things like loud noises
- Doing repetitive movements like flapping their hands or rocking back and forth
- Arranging things, like toys, in a certain order
If parents, caregivers, or teachers are worried about how a child is acting, they should get help from a special doctor, like a developmental pediatrician, a pediatric psychologist, a child neurologist, or a child & adolescent psychiatrist. These doctors will talk to the parents, watch and play with the child, and sometimes do some tests to understand what’s going on. Sometimes it might not be clear right away if the child has autism, but getting an answer early can help the child and the family find the right help and support.
To start this process, parents often talk to their regular doctor who takes care of the child’s health. If the child is younger than 3 years old, there’s a system that helps with early development that can do an evaluation. If the child is older than 3, the local school can also do an evaluation even if the child doesn’t go to that school. It’s important to reach out and ask for help.
Treatment:
Even though there isn’t a “cure” for autism, there are ways to help kids with it get better at things:
- Applied Behavioral Analysis: This is like studying how a child acts and making a plan to help them behave better and learn new things.
- Learning social skills: Kids can learn how to talk to others and be friends in groups or one-on-one.
- Talking and language therapy: This can help kids talk better and understand what others are saying.
- Occupational therapy: This is for doing everyday things like getting dressed and writing better.
- Teaching parents how to help: Parents can learn ways to handle their child’s behavior and encourage good behavior. They can also talk with other parents who are in the same situation.
- Special education: Kids can get special help in school with their language and social skills. Even really young kids can go to special classes for these things.
- Treating other problems: Sometimes kids with autism have trouble sleeping, feel anxious or sad, or have a hard time focusing. These things can be treated with therapy or medicine if needed.
- Medicines: Some kids might need medicine to help with certain problems, like feeling really upset. A doctor can figure out which medicine might help.
- Trying different things: Some parents have tried special diets and supplements to help their child with autism. But so far, there isn’t enough proof that these things work for everyone. Scientists are still studying them. If parents want to try them, they should talk to their child’s doctor.
Tips for Parents of Kids with Autism:
- Learn about Autism: Try to understand what autism is and how it affects your child.
- Stick to Routine: Keep a regular schedule and routines, so your child knows what to expect.
- Talk to Other Parents: Connect with other parents who have kids with autism. They might have good advice and understand what you’re going through.
- Ask for Help: If you’re worried about something, talk to professionals who know about autism.
- Take Breaks: It’s okay to take time for yourself and your other family members. Taking care of everyone’s feelings is important.
Having a child with autism can affect the whole family. It might feel stressful, take up a lot of time, and cost money. Remember to take care of yourself and your family’s health. There are groups that can help and give you information, like the ones listed in the Resources section.
Risk Factor:
There isn’t just one thing that causes autism. Many different things can make a child more likely to have autism. These things can be about the environment, how the body works, or even the genes a child has.
Even though we don’t know exactly what causes it, here are some things that might make a child have a bigger chance of having autism:
- If they have a brother or sister with autism
- If they have certain genetic or chromosome conditions, like fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis
- If there were problems when they were born
- If their parents are older
The CDC is doing a big study called the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED) to learn more about autism. They want to understand the things that might put kids at risk and the behaviors linked to autism. The CDC is also looking at older kids from the SEED study to see how they’re doing as they grow up, like their health and how they’re developing.
There’s more information in the “Expert Q&A” and “Resources” sections if you want to learn more.
Can autism go away?
Autism usually stays with a person their whole life and there’s no cure for it. But sometimes, as people grow up, their autism might not be as strong.
Is autism genetic?
Yes, sometimes autism can be found in families. But doctors have only figured out the specific reasons behind autism in about 10% to 20% of cases. These reasons include certain gene problems linked to autism, like fragile X syndrome, and rare changes in a person’s genes.
Do brothers and sisters have a higher chance of having autism?
Yes, if one child has autism, the next child might also have a higher chance of getting it, about 20% more than usual. And if the first two kids in a family have autism, the third child could have an even higher chance, about 32% more.
Do shots make autism happen?
No, there’s no proof that shots cause autism. Sometimes, when kids start showing signs of autism, some parents think it’s because of a shot they got. But good studies have shown that shots and autism aren’t connected.
Is autism considered a disability?
Yes, doctors say that autism is a disability. A law called the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with autism. This means they can get special help. For example, at work, employers have to make things easier for them. At school, students can get help too. Depending on how much help you need, you might also be able to get benefits like money from the government and healthcare services. Cleveland Clinic’s note: In the last 20 years, researchers have learned a lot about autism. They’re still studying what causes it, how to find it early, and ways to stop it. If you think your child might have autism, talk to their doctor. They can help you figure out if it’s autism and what to do next.
How common is autism?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that autism affects around 1 out of every 44 children who are 8 years old. Autism happens more in boys and kids who are assigned as boys when they are born. It’s more than four times as likely in boys and assigned-boy kids compared to girls and assigned-girl kids.
When to Talk to the Doctor?
Every baby grows at their own speed, and they don’t always follow the times you see in books. But kids with autism usually show signs of slower development before they’re 2 years old.
If you’re worried about your child’s growth or you think they might have autism, talk to the doctor. The things that show up with autism can also happen with other growth problems.
Autism signs often show up when kids are little, and it’s mostly about how they talk and play with others. Your doctor might want to do some tests to see if your child needs help with thinking, talking, and playing if:
- They don’t smile or look happy by 6 months.
- They don’t copy sounds or faces by 9 months.
- They don’t make baby sounds by 12 months.
- They don’t do gestures like pointing or waving by 14 months.
- They don’t say single words by 16 months.
- They don’t pretend or play pretend games by 18 months.
- They don’t say two-word things by 24 months.
- They used to talk and play, but then they stopped.
Remember, it’s important to talk to the doctor if you’re worried about your child. They can help figure out what’s going on and how to help.
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