If your child does have autism, an early diagnosis is better because then your child can start receiving the help he or she needs. This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends all children be screened for ASD at their 18- and 24-month well-child checkups. Look around your school and neighborhood to see how many barriers need to be changed to help kids with autism to have the same opportunities to be friends and participate in activities just like kids without disabilities. Here are some books about Kids and people with autism or one of the types of autism called Asperger’s. CDC estimates that an average of 1 in 36 children in the U.S. has ASD or autism. Once an autistic individual is in a job, there are additional hurdles, including asking for, and receiving, accommodations or navigating unspoken social norms of the workplace.
We can start by acknowledging that everyone has a unique experience and perspective of the world, different from anyone else’s. We should also strive to create an environment that encourages curiosity and acceptance, rather than exclusion and judgement. Autistic people often think and learn in different ways than those not on the spectrum, bringing new perspectives to the table. They often excel at pattern recognition and creative problem solving, making them an invaluable asset to many teams. Autistics tend to be detail-oriented and highly observant, able to spot issues that most would overlook. This heightened sensory awareness helps explain why many on the spectrum are gifted musicians, despite not being able to read sheet music.
For example, a child might repeat long chunks of a favorite story or TV show without really understanding what they’re saying or being able to use any of the words independently. Speech therapy helps children learn ways to overcome this pattern of behavior known as “echolalia” to develop functional speech that others can respond to appropriately. When an individual is suspected of having an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or a mental health disorder, obtaining an accurate diagnosis can be a time-consuming, costly, and confusing process. However, the process can be made easier when qualified personnel are nearby. Qualified personnel can thoroughly assess the individual to determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria for either, or for both.
Even before a tiny human blastocyst attaches itself to the nutrient-rich lining of its mother’s uterus, factors that will shape its nervous system are already in play. In the days immediately following conception, genes that govern brain wiring are turned on and off in a process that requires folate, or vitamin B9. Folate may be important for the building of fundamental brain structures later on, too. But researchers are starting to uncover biological threads that tie some of these prenatal exposures together. Many affect common biochemical pathways previously implicated in autism, such as those involving inflammation and aberrant immunity in both mother and baby. Each may only “contribute a little bit of risk here and there,” Lee says, but it is crucial to try to understand how all the pieces add up. Autism 360™ is a Parent led intervention program where you work one-on-one with our inter-disciplinary team of clinicians to focus on your child’s development.
Barriers to mental health care
The behavioral diagnosis of ASD infers that an individual has limited social communication skills that interfere with their relationships, and that they demonstrate repetitive, stereotypical behaviors. The necessity of full-time caregiver might threaten a family’s financial stability. Parents are typically put under extreme stress due to the loss of one income and the cost of treatments and therapy.
While the causes of autism are not fully understood, research has shown that there are differences in the brains of people with autism compared to those without. These symptoms are typically required to have been present at an early age and significantly impair their daily functioning. Intellectual development disorder will also need to be ruled out for a conclusive diagnosis to be made. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a program called “Learn the signs, act early.” This program helps to provide a guide for families to recognize early signs of developmental concerns like ASD.
How Many People Are Affected by ASD?
Read more about Autism here.
“It’s all about how you click socially with your interviewer,” which can lead to an autistic individual getting rejected for claims that the candidate would be a bad cultural fit or that their vibe was off. “That’s unfortunate because there are a lot of autistic people who can do the job they are interviewing for,” Gross said. Four years ago, when Burnett was finishing her PhD in clinical psychology, she was diagnosed with autism.
Some doctors say that ADHD medication is important for children who have both conditions. ADHD drugs may help for certain autism symptoms that sometimes overlap with ADHD, like being hyper, impulsive, or inattentive. Stimulant ADHD medications may cause more side effects and might not work as well as they would for a child who has ADHD alone, though. Work with your child’s care team to find a treatment plan that’s right for your little one. It might include both behavior therapy for autism and medication for ADHD.
It’s important to note that these differences do not mean that autistic brains are better or worse than neurotypical brains. Rather, they reflect the unique ways in which our brains process information and interact with the world around us. By understanding and valuing these differences, we can create a society that is inclusive and supportive for all individuals, regardless of their neurological makeup. One theory is that people with ASD have an overactive amygdala, which is the part of the brain that processes emotions. This can lead to an increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as loud noises or bright lights. It can also make it more difficult to understand and respond to social cues, such as facial expressions or tone of voice. Do not assume that children with ASD will understand how to apply the lessons of school health class to themselves, Dr. Keefer said.
Other studies have linked vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women with autism in their children, but the implications are unclear. Even after her first child, Shane, was diagnosed with autism last year at the age of 2, Melissa Patao knew she wanted a bigger family. Therefore, it is highly recommended by The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to have a routine checkup of your child.
