Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of complex brain development disorders that affect how people interact, communicate, and behave. Common symptoms include difficulty communicating, difficulty with social interactions, obsessive interests, and repetitive behaviors. Early recognition, as well as behavioral, educational, and family therapies can reduce symptoms and support development and learning. One of the main characteristics of people with autism is the inability to process all the different sensory inputs in their environment. People on the spectrum often have hypersensitivity to sights and sounds, which can lead to increased anxiety and stress.
As a result, they may wave their arms, swing back and forth, or make other “unnatural” gestures as a way to cope with the chaos they are experiencing in their mind. ASD affects different people in different ways. Some people can't talk or learn. Their behavior may seem strange; they may avoid other people; they may walk and move their bodies in unusual ways, such as flapping their hands. They can repeat lines from TV shows or movies. Social Communication Challenges and Specialized Health Care Providers diagnose autism using a checklist of criteria in the two categories above.
They also assess the severity of autism symptoms The autism severity scale reflects how much support a person needs for daily functioning. Many people with autism have sensory problems. They usually involve excessive or insufficient sensitivity to sounds, lights, touch, tastes, smells, pain, and other stimuli. Autism is also associated with high rates of certain physical and mental health conditions. In addition, someone with another similar health problem, such as lead poisoning, may need treatments that have nothing to do with those for autism. That's why it's important to get an accurate diagnosis from a team of experts who specialize in autism.
This includes a neurologist, psychologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist, or other professionals who will do a series of tests to determine if your child has autism or another problem such as a psychological or speech disorder. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a different set of strengths and challenges. With early recognition and appropriate interventions such as behavioral therapies and family support, individuals with ASD can learn to manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.
