WHat is Autism?
What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a wide range of neurodevelopmental conditions marked by difficulties in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and challenges with verbal and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism currently affects approximately 1 in 31 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States.
Autism is a lifelong condition, and the strengths, needs, and challenges of autistic individuals can evolve over time. As they move through different stages of life, their required supports and accommodations may also change. Early intervention and tailored therapies can significantly improve skill development and long-term outcomes.
What causes autism?
Two main factors that influence autism are genetics and environment.
These factors seem to elevate the likelihood of developing autism and may influence the specific characteristics a child exhibits. However, it's important to remember that an increased risk does not equate to a direct cause. For instance, certain genetic variations linked to autism are also present in individuals without the condition. Likewise, many people exposed to environmental risk factors do not go on to develop autism—in fact, the majority do not.
Autism is a spectrum
Autism looks different for everyone, and each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. Some autistic people can speak, while others are nonverbal or minimally verbal and communicate in other ways. Some have intellectual disabilities, while some do not. Some require significant support in their daily lives, while others need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.
Current diagnostic guidelines in the DSM-5-TR break down the ASD diagnosis into three levels, based on the amount of support a person might need: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
Co-occuring conditions
Individuals diagnosed with autism can also exhibit accompanying conditions such as:
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders
Seizures and sleep disorders
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Anxiety and depression disorders
signs & Symptoms of Autism
Social Interactions
- Inability to initiate and taking turns in conversations
- Sharing interests or emotions
- Understanding what others are thinking or feeling
Communication
- Making eye contact
- Understanding other people’s body language, gestures and facial expressions
- Regulating tone of voice (e.g. they may speak too loudly, too quietly and/or with a monotone voice)
Intense and highly focused interests
- Extreme interest or knowledge of specific, narrow topics
- Strong attachment to a certain object (e.g. a toy or figurine)
Repetitive movements, play or speech patterns
- Stimming, or making repetitive body movements to regulate emotions (e.g. rocking, hand flapping, spinning, running back and forth)
- Lining up toys in a row, spinning wheels, repeatedly flipping switches
- Imitating another person’s speech, repeating words or phrases (also known as echolalia)
Insistence on sameness and need for routine
- Extreme distress at even small changes in plans or routine
- Ritualistic behaviors (e.g. watching the same videos over and over, repeatedly touching objects in a set order)
- Need for routine (e.g. same daily schedule, meal menu, clothes, route to school)
Under- or over-sensitivity to sensory stimulation
- Sensory differences, like unusual sensitivity to light, sound, touch or texture
- Lack of sensitivity to pain or temperature
- Sensory-seeking behaviors (e.g. smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement)
Signs of autism based on age
6 Months
12 Months
6 Months
- Few or no big smiles or other warm, joyful and engaging expressions
- Limited or no eye contact
9 Months
12 Months
6 Months
- Little or no back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
- Little or no babbling
- Little or no back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving
- Little or no response to name
Any Age
12 Months
12 Months
- Loss of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills
- Avoidance of eye contact
- Persistent preference for solitude
- Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings
- Persistent repetition of words or phrases (echolalia)
- Resistance to minor changes in routine or surroundings
- Restricted interests
- Repetitive behaviors (flapping, rocking, spin
- Loss of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills
- Avoidance of eye contact
- Persistent preference for solitude
- Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings
- Persistent repetition of words or phrases (echolalia)
- Resistance to minor changes in routine or surroundings
- Restricted interests
- Repetitive behaviors (flapping, rocking, spinning, etc.)
- Unusual and intense reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, textures, lights and/or colors