Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty communicating and difficulty interacting with others. It affects the way a person thinks, behaves, and communicates. 

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Autism exists in a range because it can manifest in a variety of ways depending on the person. Sensorial, social, and communication demands for autistic individuals can present across a spectrum from high to low. 

Behavior

There are behavior patterns characteristic of an autistic person. Not every individual with autism will display all of the behaviors, but for a doctor to make a diagnosis, several signs will be present.

Some of the signs and symptoms of autism include:

• avoiding eye contact. A person with autism can have difficulties maintaining eye contact during conversation. For some people, it might mean no eye contact at all, and for others, it means too much eye contact.
• the trouble with adapting when anything in your routine changes
• preferring to be alone because social interactions are draining and confusing
• repetitive actions, getting stuck in repeating words or phrases
• not understanding common expressions, sarcasm, or puns
• having trouble understanding feelings. You struggle to understand other people’s emotions. You might also have an issue with relating to people around you or have no interest in them at all
• extreme sensitivity to light, sounds, temperature, or textures
• trouble expressing your needs 
• specific and niche interests you get intensely focused on
• physical ticks
• lactose intolerance. Recent studies have shown a link between being lactose intolerant and people with autism. If you’re lactose intolerant and observed any of the above symptoms in yourself, you might want to check in with a specialist.

There is no single cause for autism. Researchers determined certain characteristics that may increase a person’s odds of developing the disorder. These include having older parents, having an autistic sibling, Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, or Rett syndrome.

Signs

You can spot early signs of autism in small children. An earlier evaluation will benefit them greatly, so it’s crucial to be observant.

Some symptoms in a child include:

• no babbling or pointing at things by age 1
• not speaking single words by 16 months or two-word phrases by age 2
• poor eye contact
• not responding to their name
• talking or babbling in the same tone and pitch
• no smiling or other engaging expressions
• losing skills they’re previously acquired
• engaging in repetitive behaviors, such as rocking, flapping their hands, twirling their fingers, or repeating the same phrases or sounds
• fixating on certain activities
• not engaging in pretend play
• struggling with making friends

How is autism diagnosed? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) gives a recommendation for screenings for developmental delays during routine well-child visits at 9, 18, and 39 months old. There are screening tools available such as questionnaires, behavior scales, and checklists for symptoms.

If a screening tool suggests developmental delays or signs of autism, a child will be referred to a specialist. It can be a child psychologist or a developmental pediatrician. 

A specialist might observe a child’s behavior, social skills, communication, play, and repetitive behavior. They will interview the parents about the child’s current and past behavior that might indicate autism. They might also conduct a 15-question test, called Childhood Autism Rating Scale Second Edition (CARS-2) to help them differentiate between autism and conditions. 

Additionally, specialists might evaluate a child’s motor skills, vision and hearing, language, and cognition. 

In some cases, medical testing could be necessary. These tools include:

• genetic testing, including the chromosomal microarray (CMA) that looks for extra or missing segments of DNA to diagnose chromosomal conditions, and a test for fragile X syndrome
• lead screening to test for lead exposure
• other tests, such as an electroencephalogram (EEG) to diagnose seizure disorders, or tests for metabolic disorders

There are no ASD diagnostic criteria for adults at the moment. However, the existing DSM-5 criteria can be modified and applied to this age group.

Clinicians diagnose adults with ASD primarily through in-person interactions and observations. They also take into account any symptoms that the person reports.

Several types of therapy exist that can support you with existing issues. These include:

• speech-language therapy to help with both verbal and non-verbal (hand signals, sign language, or picture symbols) communication
• occupational therapy to aid with day-to-day tasks
• social skills training to teach conversation skills and social-emotional learning
• sensory integration therapy to help with the regulation of sensory information
• cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, to help with social situations and recognizing feelings

Exercising regularly, eating a nutritious diet, and getting enough sleep can help you improve your overall health and deal with your autistic traits better. 

Am I Autistic Quiz

Are you on the autism spectrum? Find out with our am i autistic quiz. If you suspect you are autistic, please check in with a specialist.

Remember – Our “Am I Autistic Quiz Free” is for fun only!