Symptoms of Autism

Main Thing

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects how a person interacts with others and perceives the world around them. The symptoms can be diverse and vary greatly from person to person.

The main symptoms of autism include:

1. Challenges with social interaction: This can include difficulty understanding and responding to social cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Limited or no eye contact during conversation is also common. Example: An individual with autism may avoid eye contact and not pick up on sarcasm.

2. Repetitive behaviors or speech patterns: These can include repeating words or phrases, hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning. Example: A person with autism might rock back and forth or repeat the same word.

3. Intense interest in specific topics or objects: People with autism may focus on these to the exclusion of other activities. Example: A child with autism may learn everything about trains and talk about them extensively.

4. Resistance to changes in routine or environment: People with autism often prefer predictability and may struggle with unexpected changes. Example: An individual with autism might become distressed if their usual route to school is altered.

5. Delayed language development or not speaking at all: Some people with autism may not speak, or they may start speaking later than typical. Example: A child with autism might not speak until much later than their peers or might not speak at all.

6. Sensitivity to sensory input: Many people with autism may be over- or under-sensitive to things like light, sound, touch, taste, or smell. Example: A person with autism may cover their ears in response to sounds that others find normal.

For example, a child with autism might have difficulty making friends because they struggle to understand social cues. They might also repeat certain phrases over and over, or become upset by loud noises or changes in their routine.

Terms

• Symptom - a sign or feeling that something is not right in the body. It's something you notice that might mean you are sick. For example, a headache, a cough, or a fever can be symptoms of a cold or flu. In the context of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a symptom could be a behavior or action that shows a person might have ASD, like having trouble talking with other people or doing the same thing over and over again

An Analogy

Imagine a dance where everyone knows the steps except one person. That person represents an individual with autism who finds it challenging to follow the social 'dance' of conversation and interaction.

A Main Misconception

Many believe that if you've met one person with autism, you know what autism is like. However, because autism is a spectrum, symptoms can vary widely. For instance, while one person with autism may not speak at all, another might have a rich vocabulary but struggle with back-and-forth conversation.

The History

1. 1943: Leo Kanner first identifies autism as distinct from other developmental disorders.

2. 1980: Autism is officially recognized in the DSM-III.

3. 1991: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act includes autism as a category, increasing educational support.

4. 2013: The DSM-5 consolidates all autism-related disorders into one diagnosis: ASD.

Leo Kanner noted, "The outstanding, 'pathognomonic', fundamental disorder is the children's inability to relate themselves in the ordinary way to people and situations from the beginning of life."

Three Cases How to Use it Right Now

1. As a teacher, you might notice a student avoiding eye contact and struggling with group work. Recognizing these as potential symptoms of autism can guide you to provide individual support and tailored communication strategies.

2. As a parent, if you observe your child engaging in repetitive behaviors and showing intense interest in specific topics, these could be signs of autism. Early recognition can lead to seeking professional advice and support.

3. As a healthcare professional, understanding the varied symptoms of autism, such as delayed language development or sensory sensitivities, can help you provide better care and advice to patients and their families.

Interesting Facts

• Autism can be diagnosed as early as 2 years old, but some may not be diagnosed until later in life.

• There is no medical test for autism; it is diagnosed based on observed behaviors and developmental history.

• Some individuals with autism have savant skills, such as exceptional memory or mathematical abilities.

• Early intervention can significantly improve outcomes for individuals with autism.

• The prevalence of autism has increased over the past two decades, partly due to improved awareness and diagnostic practices.