What are Autism Spectrum Disorders?
ASDs are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. ASDs are spectrum disorders which means that they affect each person in different ways.
There are three different types of ASDs:
-Autistic Disorder
-Asperger Syndrome
-Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not otherwise specified
Are there signs and symptoms of ASDs?
Typically ASDs begin before the age of three and last throughout one’s lifetime, although some symptoms may improve over time. However, symptoms may start at anytime and could potentially worsen as time goes on.
Common symptoms of a person with ASD might include:
Not respond to their name by 12 months
Not point at objects or show interest by 14 months
Not play “pretend” games by 18 months
Avoid eye contact or want to be alone
Have delayed speech and language skills
Repeat words or phrases over and over
Give unrelated answers to questions
Get upset by minor changes
Have obsessive interests
Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles
Have unusually reactions to the way things smell, taste, look or feel
Keep in mind that no two people are affected the same way by ASDs so symptoms vary by person
Please visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Website at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html for a more comprehensive guide to ASDs.
More Resources:
American Autism Society at: http://www.autism-society.org
Autism Speaks: http://www.autismspeaks.org/
