What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

October 12, 2022

What is autism? That is a great question. Autism is a neurodevelopmental spectrum disorder that impacts communication.

In the last several years, the medical community has dramatically changed its approach to autism. Those changes have resulted in many people who would not previously have been diagnosed getting an autism diagnosis. They have also resulted in some therapeutic approaches that have helped people with autism coexist with neurotypical people. One of reasons that this has been helpful is the increased knowledge about autism among the general public.

Autism is what is known as a spectrum disorder. That means that people can have some or all of the signs of autism, but at varying intensities. Some symptoms of autism include

Deficits in speech
Deficits in social communication
Repetitive (obsessive or compulsive) behaviors

Those symptoms can seem very broad. In babies, you may notice

Lack of eye contact
Failure to respond to their name
Failure to respond to or make facial expressions

In toddlers, you may notice

Failure to play interactive games
No sharing interests
No gestures like waving hello or goodbye
No pointing out things
Not noticing when others are hurt
No group play
Physical delays
Cognitive delays

In preschoolers you may notice

No imaginative play
No singing, dancing, or acting
Cognitive delays
Physical delays

People with all ages may show an intense interest in things. They may

Line up toys or objects
Want things a particular way
Focus on parts instead of the whole
Echolalia
Following certain routines
Getting upset with minor changes
Stimming
Sensitivity to sounds
Sensitivity to textures

Treatments

Autism is not curable. However, it is possible to help people with autism adapt more to a neurotypical world. However, the goal of early intervention is not just to force people with autism to adapt, but also to give their parents, caregivers, and educators the tools they need to adapt to the person with autism’s own particular individual needs.

One treatment for autism is ABA therapy. ABA stands for Applied Behavioral Analysis. It is designed to get people with autism to respond in ways that are considered socially acceptable by the mainstream. It can be a controversial therapy. Some people think it results in masking behaviors that increase stress for people with autism. For other people, it can be critically important.