Twin Cities
What is Autism
Characteristics
Autistic individuals have differences in behavior, communication and social interaction. Common characteristics include difficulty with eye contact, reading facial expressions and body language, building friendships, and understanding social cues. Many autistic people also have restricted interests, inflexible adherence to routines, repetitive motions like rocking, and sensory issues like hypersensitivity to sound. Other possible characteristics are delayed language, intellectual disability, attention issues, impulse control challenges, aggression, abnormal eating patterns, poor sleep, and self-harming behaviors. No two autistic people share the exact same traits.
Early Signs
There are several early red flags that may indicate autism. Lack of babbling, pointing or meaningful gestures by 12 months is a major warning sign. Others include diminished eye contact, limited facial expressions, lack of interest in their surroundings or engaging with others, delay or regression of speech development, repetitive movements or behaviors, adverse reaction to sensory stimuli, and excessive tantrums. Early intervention is crucial, so if any of these signs are noticed, the child should be evaluated right away.
Autism impacts an individual throughout the lifespan. However, research shows that early diagnosis can lead to improved quality of life. For more information on developmental milestones, visit the CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” site. Here are some signs to look for:
- Speaks later than typical or not at all (nonverbal)
- Repetition in language or movement, such as repeating the same word or sounds, hand flapping, or any repeated movement
- Atypical nonverbal communication, including avoiding eye contact, giving few facial expressions, or having a monotone
- Prefers solitary or parallel play rather than engaging in associative or cooperative play with other children
- Extremely distressed by changes, including new foods or changes in schedule
- Preference for predictable, structured play over spontaneous or make-believe play
- Strong, persistent interest on specific topic, part of a toy, or item
Diagnosis
There are no blood tests or medical exams that can diagnose autism. Diagnosis is based on the child’s history and behavioral evaluations. Doctors look for developmental differences, interview parents for insights, and use autism screening tools like the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). A team of professionals like psychologists, occupational therapists and speech therapists assess cognition, motor skills, language abilities and more. Gathering input from multiple sources ensures an accurate diagnosis.
Autism is characterized in the DSM-V by:
- Persistent differences in communication, interpersonal relationships, and social interaction across different environments
What this can look like: Being nonverbal or having atypical speech patterns, having trouble understanding nonverbal communication, difficulty making and keeping friends, difficulty maintaining typical back-and-forth conversational style
- Restricted and repetitive behavior, patterns, activities and interests
What this can look like: Repeating sounds or phrases (echolalia), repetitive movements, preference for sameness and difficulty with transition or routine, rigid or highly restricted and intense interests, extreme sensitivity to or significantly lower sensitivity to various sensory stimuli
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, which is used by clinicians to diagnose autism, these core features of autism must be present in early childhood but may not fully manifest until social demands exceed the person’s capacity to cope with them, and challenges may be masked by learned coping strategies.
Assessment
After a diagnosis, assessments provide crucial data to identify the child’s strengths and challenges. This guides treatment priorities and appropriate interventions tailored to the individual. Assessments evaluate speech and language, social skills, sensory responses, adaptive behaviors, motor skills, academic abilities, and cognitive processes. The goal is to gain a holistic profile of the child’s autism. Assessments are an ongoing process as the child develops.
Treatment
While there is no medical cure for autism, interventions and therapies can improve quality of life dramatically. Treatments aim to minimize disruptive behaviors, develop communication and socialization, teach new skills, and provide educational support. Early intensive behavioral intervention is considered the most effective approach and can help kids assimilate into mainstream classrooms. Other therapies like speech, occupational and sensory integration therapy are also critical. Medications may help manage associated symptoms like anxiety or ADHD as well. Multidisciplinary support systems are ideal. All Level Autism Center provides individualized, intensive ABA therapy for children on the spectrum.