What is Autism
Spectrum Disorder?
A resource for parents and caregivers.
Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the brain and can also affect other body systems. Individuals with autism experience the world differently - they might encounter difficulties maintaining friendships, handling sensory information, and adapting to change. Autism looks very different from person to person, and the best way to support a loved one with autism can vary.
Knowing the signs, acting early, and using available support services can have a significant impact on a child with ASD’s future ability to learn new skills and overcome potential life challenges. Please use this page to learn more about autism, how to spot the signs, and what to do if you have concerns about your child’s development.
WHAT IS
AUTISM?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects about 1 in 31 children (according to the CDC's ADDM Network). This means about 3.2% of children will be diagnosed with ASD. Autism occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. There is no medical consensus surrounding the cause of ASD. Many scientists believe that autism may occur when multiple causes act together to change the most common ways people develop.
The way that ASD impacts the brain and other body symptoms varies greatly from person to person. Symptoms of autism generally vary across an individual’s lifespan. The rest of this page focuses specifically on the prevalence, symptoms, and supports for children under 6 years of age.
Signs & Symptoms of Autism
Tracking the developmental milestones of a child within their first 3 years of life can provide families with potential early signs of ASD in their child. A “developmental milestone” refers to specific skills that babies gain as they progress through childhood. Examples of milestones for a baby of 2 months old might include looking at their parent’s face or reacting to loud sounds. Examples of milestones for a child of 15 months might include stacking objects or pointing to something they want. When a child has autism, they may fall behind in their developmental milestones. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, it does not necessarily mean they have ASD, but it does indicate that it may be time to seek some professional guidance.
Below are examples of developmental milestones to monitor for at each stage of early development. For a more comprehensive list, visit the CDC’s Developmental Milestones Index. Please note that these checklists are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools.
What if I think my child might have autism?
Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder requires a deeper understanding than whether or not milestones are being hit. If you believe your child may have autism or you’re simply concerned about potential delays, contact your child’s pediatrician or a support specialist such as Ally Behavior Centers to talk through what you are experiencing and figure out the next best steps.
It is helpful to let your pediatrician / specialist know what milestones you are concerned about and what additional context might be important for understanding your child’s development. Your specialist may also want to know what things your child seems to enjoy doing, if they’ve lost skills they once had, and if they have any existing special healthcare needs.
No matter what avenue you choose to pursue for seeking guidance, the important thing is to act early. Taking early action to get your child the support they need when they are young can help improve their ability to learn new skills across their lifespan. According to the CDC, early intervention services such as ABA, Speech, and Occupational Therapy have a higher likelihood of effectiveness when delivered in the early developmental stages.
Interested in learning more about diagnostic evaluations for autism or seeking support services? Let’s chat today…
Autism Readings
If you are the caregiver of a child with autism, navigating new routines and challenges can feel overwhelming. Ally Behavior’s blog includes practical, everyday resources that many families find helpful, including:
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