Autism
Spectrum
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
The term spectrum refers to the wide range of
symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment that
children with Autism Spectrum Disorder can
have. (National Institute of Mental Health, 2015)
Some children may be affected mildly by their
symptoms while it can affect others severely.
ASD is characterized by:
-Persistent deficits in social communication
-Repetitive patterns of behavior and interests.
-Symptoms must be present in the early
developmental period
-Symptoms cause clinically significant
impairment in social, occupational, or other
important areas of current functioning.
Causes
Genetic: There have been many studies on twins
and scientists have found that when one twin has
ASD, the other twin is 90% more likely to also
have ASD. Most individuals with autism do not
have family history of autism. This random
occurrencesuggeststhatautismiscausedbya Disease Control and Preventions website.
genemutation.Mutationscanbeinheritedbut
somealsoappearfornoreason.
EnvironmentalEnvironmentalcausesinclude
Disorder
Ali Wilcox
Environmental: Environmental causes include
anything outside of the body that can affect your
health. This also includes the environment that
was provided in the mothers womb. Many
environmental factors are being researched such
as medical conditions in the family, parental age,
exposure to different toxins, as well as
complications during pregnancy. Scientists say
that it is likely that more than one environmental
factor is involved with ASD.
ASD and Vaccines: Health experts have advised
giving vaccines to your children which has
resulted in a decrease in the number of children
getting sick, becoming disabled, or dying from
diseases. Since children start getting vaccines at
the age of two, which is the time that ASD
symptoms usually show up, some parents believe
that vaccines are in a way related to their childs
disorder. The latest information about ASD and
vaccinations is available on the Centers of
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Diagnosis

Often includes a two-part process. The first

Social Impairment: Includes little eye
process includes contact,
a general listening
screening. less,
If the and failing
child
Communication Issues: For children with ASD it may not be as
shows easy for them
developmental to reach
problems thenthe
theymilestones
are that th
referred for another evaluation. In this second
Repetitive and stereotype behavior: These behaviors c
evaluation a team of specialists are able to
diagnose the child if they have ASD. Children
can usually be diagnosed by age 2. Some
conditions that they look for include, sensory
problems, sleep problems, intellectual disability,
seizures, fragile X syndrome, Tuberculosis
Sclerosis, Gastrointestinal problems.

Treatments

Early interventions
Applied Behavior analysis
Developmental, Individual Difference,
Relationship-based(DIR)/Floortime
Model
TEACCH (Treatment and Education of
Autistic and related Communication
handicapped Children)
Interpersonal Synchrony
Medications help reduce some symptoms
that are causing problems for your child
at home or in school.