Could It Be Autism?

Recent questions

• What are the developmental trajectories of autism?

  Autism can be identified through three developmental trajectories: early concerns, slow emergence, and regression between 14 and 24 months. Children showing early concerns may have medical issues like reflux, epilepsy, and low birth weight, leading to confirmed autism by 18 months. Slow emergence of autism is characterized by a developmental plateau where progress slows down, becoming noticeable by 12-18 months. Regression between 14 and 24 months involves losing skills like vocabulary and social interest, retreating into a world of their own.

• What are the signs of autism at 12 months?

  Signs of autism at 12 months include reduced response to name calling, less gesturing, and limited interest in the social world. Communication challenges in autism include delays in speech, lack of gestures, and fixation on specific visual patterns. Individuals with autism may focus intensely on objects, have diminished eye contact, and struggle with disengaging from visual attention.

• What are the criteria for diagnosing autism?

  DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing autism include persistent deficits in social communication, social interaction, and difficulty in developing and maintaining relationships. Criteria B for ASD includes repetitive motor movements like flapping, lining things up, and insistence on sameness as coping mechanisms for high anxiety levels. Assessments for ASD include evaluating social development, language, and sensory sensitivity, as challenging behaviors may stem from sensory overload.

• How can individuals with autism show unusual behaviors?

  Children with autism may exhibit unusual sensory interests, avoid social games, and show a limited range of facial expressions. Regression in autism can lead to loss of previously acquired words, reduced eye contact, and disinterest in social interactions. Unusual interests in ASD individuals can be intense, like knowing every detail about specific topics such as Thomas the Tank Engine or drain covers.

• What distinguishes ASD from intellectual disability?

  ASD is distinct from intellectual disability, with varying learning profiles and language impairments, often associated with genetic factors and autoimmune disorders. Clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other areas is crucial for diagnosing ASD, with learned social skills aiding in functioning. Symptoms of ASD must be present early in life but may become more pronounced as social demands increase, with different diagnosis timings for classic autism and Asperger's.