If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you likely have many questions and concerns that need to be addressed. There is much that is still unknown about this disability and even the experts don’t agree on all the possible causes or treatment options. This article is not meant to replace the advice of your medical professional, but can provide a framework and overview for you to list your own questions. Take your list with you when you visit your doctor or healthcare providers, and conduct your own research as well. Learn all you can about autism, and keep in mind that every person is unique and will manifest the disorder in different ways. Learning to understand persons diagnosed with autism is the key to better relationships, emotional growth and individual development. What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder is a term used to describe developmental disabilities. Some scientists maintain that autism, or the potential for autism, is genetic. Others claim that autism symptoms increase in certain environments. A variety of genetic factors, in combination with environmental factors, may direct a child’s brain to develop differently and result in autistic behaviors. Autism disabilities are based primarily in a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others.

Symptoms: Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. Researchers and scientists studying autism report that increased awareness and early diagnosis with intervention helps provide access to appropriate services that address the challenges of living with autism. These support systems are designed to lead those living with this disability to having a better quality of life. Some of the behaviors associated with autism include delayed learning of language; difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation; difficulty with executive functioning, which relates to reasoning and planning; intense interests often described as obsessive or compulsive; and a lack of motor skills and sensitivity to light and sound. Persons diagnosed with autism can manifest a few symptoms we have described in this article or many of these behaviors. The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is applied based on analysis of all known communication and social behaviors. Recommended Read:  Management of Autism Diagnosis: Medical professionals have different tests that assist them in making a diagnosis for autistic behaviors. These tests can be greatly different, but testing done to measure the autistic spectrum include tests to measure social imagination, social communication (verbal and non-verbal), and social interaction.

The management of autism in the United States today can take many forms, with each discipline designed to maximize the life skills of the person living with autism. Plans for managing autistic symptoms are sometimes called “interventions.” These interventions work to promote and develop life skills that include social interaction skills , and communication and language development skills. Options may include behavior therapy to address the range of social, linguistic, and behavioral difficulties associated with autism spectrum disorder. Some of these new programs focus on reducing problem behaviors and teaching new life skills as an intervention. Successful education programs typically include a team of specialists and a variety of predictable, structured activities. Early diagnosis is key in the classroom, and preschool children who receive early interventions typically respond well. Through awareness and education programs, parents and other family members can learn how to play, work, and interact with their children in ways that promote understanding of common social interaction. Other therapies that may also be part of the autism interventions include speech and physical therapy. Experts agree that no medication can improve the core signs of autism spectrum disorder, but the healthcare marketplace abounds with medications that claim to help control symptoms.

If you think your child might have ASD or you think there could be a problem with the way your child plays, learns, speaks, or acts, contact your child’s doctor and share your concerns. If you or the doctor is still concerned, ask the doctor for a referral to a specialist who can do a more in-depth evaluation of your child. Remember that children with special needs are no longer isolated in “Special Ed” classrooms. Today’s educational programs use the latest in student-to-student interactions that help children with special needs grow and develop to their full potential. Studies have shown that children with autism spectrum perform better, both academically and socially, if the child is included and connected as much as possible. Recommended Read:  Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Overview New computer based programs designed to help hold the interest of students with autism are being promoted every year. Some of these recent programs and web sites feature images and exercises to assist educators in making lesson plans for students who have special needs. Some of these programs include apps for laptops, tablets, or smartphones that can be shared with other students, parents and other family members so that lessons can be reinforced beyond the classroom.