Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder. It affects a person's behavior. And it makes communication and social interactions hard. ASD can range from mild to severe. The type of symptoms a person has and how severe they are varies. Some children may not be able to function without a lot of help from parents and other caregivers. Others may learn social and verbal skills and lead independent lives as adults. Most people with ASD will always have some trouble when they communicate or interact with others. But finding and treating ASD early has helped many people who have ASD to lead full lives. They can do things like go to college and work. ASD now includes conditions that used to be diagnosed separately. These include: You or your doctor might use any of these terms to describe the condition. The exact cause of ASD isn't known. But many factors may be involved. A change in certain genes or an interaction of several genes may be responsible. And something in the environment may play a role in these gene changes. Studies show that vaccines don't cause ASD.footnote 1, footnote 2 Symptoms include communication and behavior problems, like delays in learning to talk and a strong need for sameness. Other symptoms include problems using or responding to gestures, problems making eye contact, and having unusual attachments to objects. Usually symptoms are noticed by age 2. But parents may notice them as early as age 1. Doctors use screening questions, exams, and tests to see how your child behaves and interacts with others. Talk with the doctor about what you've observed. The doctor will use all of this information, along with his or her judgment, to assess how your child is developing and look for signs of ASD. Treatment for ASD involves behavioral training. This training rewards appropriate behavior to teach children social and other skills. Treatment may also include structured teaching. This involves organizing a child's day and school setting to help a child learn new skills. Some children also need things like speech therapy, physical therapy, or medicine. ASD tends to run in families. So it may be something that you inherit. ASD tends to occur more often in people who have certain genetic conditions. These may include fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis. Some things increase the chance that you'll have a baby with ASD. These things are called risk factors. The risk of having a baby with ASD is higher if either birth parent: Behavior and symptoms of ASD can range from mild to severe. Parents often say that their child with ASD prefers to play alone and doesn't make eye contact with other people. In most cases, symptoms are noticed by the time a child is 2 years old. But if symptoms are severe, they may be seen as early as age 12 months. How severe the symptoms are varies a lot. But all people with ASD have some symptoms in these areas: Symptoms may include: Symptoms may include: A few people with ASD have some form of savant skills. For example, they may have special limited gifts. This may be a musical talent or being able to memorize lists, calculate calendar dates, or draw. People who have ASD are born with it. In most cases, symptoms are noticed by the time a child is 2 years old. But if symptoms are severe, a parent may notice them as early as when a child is 12 months old. Parents often become concerned when their toddler: During the second year of life, parents may notice that their child repeats certain phrases, rituals, or routines. For example, a child with ASD may insist on putting textbooks, notepads, and pencils in a backpack the same way every time. Or a child may insist that a game be played in a certain way. Parents may also notice that their child repeats certain behaviors. For example, a child may rock their body or flap their hands over and over again. Parents may also be confused about their child's hearing abilities. It often seems that a child with ASD doesn't hear. But at other times, they may appear to hear a distant background noise, such as the whistle of a train. With early and intensive treatment, most children can improve. They can improve their ability to interact with others, communicate, and help themselves as they grow older. During the teen years, the patterns of behavior often change. Many teens gain skills. But they still lag behind in how well they can interact with and understand others. For example, they may not pick up on social cues. They may not be able to read others' body language, start a conversation or keep it going, and take turns talking. They may not understand a joke or may take a sarcastic comment literally. Puberty and growing sexuality may be harder for teens who have ASD than for others this age. More and more adults who have ASD are able to work and live on their own. And many of them are going to college or vocational school. People who have average to above-average intelligence are often successful in school and at their jobs and able to live on their own. They are able to do this even though they still have some trouble interacting with other people. But some adults need help. This is especially true for those with below-average intelligence who are unable to speak. They may need part– or full-time supervision at a supportive living center or group home. People with ASD may also have other problems. These include: There is no single test to diagnose ASD. Doctors use screening questions, exams, and tests to see how your child behaves and interacts with others. Talk with the doctor about what you've observed. The doctor will use all of this information, along with their judgment, to assess how your child is developing and if there are signs of ASD. Screening questions are often asked at the 18-month and 24-month well-child visits. But they may be asked sooner if you are concerned that your child may have signs of ASD. The questions cover how your child talks, moves, and interacts with others. The answers help your doctor understand how your child is developing and if your child has signs of a developmental problem related to ASD. Screening questions can be a useful tool. But if your child's symptoms are mild, signs of ASD may be missed. All doctors who do well-child visits watch for early signs of developmental disorders. A child who has these signs of developmental delays should be evaluated: If there are no clear signs of problems from the screening tests, most children don't need more evaluation until the next well-child visit. But if your child is at a higher risk for ASD, they may need more screening and need to be screened more often. Examples of things that put a child at higher risk are having a sibling with ASD and having a genetic condition such as fragile X syndrome. Anyone who develops problems with socializing, learning, or behavior should also be evaluated. If your doctor thinks your child may have ASD, they may refer you to a specialist. The specialist will use questions and guidelines to find out if your child has ASD or a different problem, such as a language delay or ASD and another condition. They'll look at your personal and family health history, observe your child, and do developmental and intelligence tests. Other tests may be used to find out if a physical problem may be causing symptoms. These tests include: Other tests may be done in certain cases. Some examples include an electroencephalograph (EEG), an MRI, and metabolic tests. What type of treatment is best for your child depends on the symptoms. These are different for each child. Treatment may change over time. Treatment may include: There are many different programs that can help your child. Some start early in your child's development. These help children focus on improving their ability to communicate, learn, be social, and adapt to new situations. Many programs are based on applied behavior analysis (ABA). This method rewards appropriate behavior to teach children social and other skills. It's based on the idea that behavior that's rewarded is more likely to continue than behavior that's ignored. Some examples include the early start Denver model (ESDM) and pivotal response training (PRT). Treatment may also include structured teaching. This involves organizing a child's day and school setting to help the child learn new skills. Other methods, like modeling behavior or modifying a child's environment, may be used. These therapies are important parts of managing ASD. These might be used to treat symptoms of ASD. Symptoms include being cranky or hyperactive. Sometimes medicine is also used to treat other problems such as anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. This might be used to help treat anxiety and depression in people who have ASD. Talk to your doctor about sources of support and training. Or contact an ASD organization. Treatment may also address other problems related to ASD, like seizures or sleep problems. If you're concerned about your child's development, you don't have to wait for a diagnosis of ASD to start treatment. Each state offers early intervention programs to children under the age of 3 who show signs of developmental delays. These programs can help children develop age-appropriate skills and behaviors. And they can help children get back some of the skills and abilities they may have lost to prevent more delays. Ask your doctor about getting a referral to one of these programs. Or visit www.ectacenter.org/contact/ptccoord.asp to find out what programs there are in your area. There are many ways you can help your child as they grow and develop. Here are some ideas that may help. This can help your child develop independence. Some adults with ASD can live by themselves, work, and be as independent as other people their age. Others need continued support. As your child gets older: When a child with ASD becomes an adult, they are still eligible for certain services. But they will have to request or apply for these services themself. You can take steps to help make sure that your child will have proper care and resources throughout life. The best treatment for children with ASD is a team approach and a consistent, structured program. Everyone involved needs to work together to set goals for: Here are some things to know and ways you can help your child. The teen years can be a very hard time for children with ASD. But community services and public programs can help. A teen may benefit from a group home, special employment, and other programs designed to ease the transition into adulthood. Raising a child who has ASD can be stressful. Here are some ways to cope. You may hear about other approaches to treat ASD, such as complementary or alternative practices. There is no evidence to show that these things have any benefit. And some of these treatments may be harmful or have risks associated with them. Talk with your doctor before trying any of these treatments. Some unproven therapies for ASD include:footnote 2 Current as of: June 24, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Current as of: June 24, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org. © 1995-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Condition Basics
What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
What causes it?
What are the symptoms?
How is it diagnosed?
How is ASD treated?
What Increases Your Risk
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Symptoms
Core symptoms
What Happens
ASD during childhood
ASD during teen years
ASD during adulthood
Other problems related to ASD
Exams and Tests
Exams and tests
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Treatment Overview
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Self-Care
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Complementary Treatments
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References
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Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. Current as of: June 24, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.