Autism Spectrum Disorder is estimated to affect one in every 54 children. It is an ongoing public health concern. It is the subject of one of the most significant ongoing studies in the US as we seek to understand more of the factors that make a person more likely to develop this disorder.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is classified as a developmental disability. Those with ASD experience challenges with social interactions, communications, and behaviors. The spectrum of ASD ranges from those who barely show any symptoms to those whose symptoms include being completely nonverbal. ASD affects all ethnic groups and can be found in every socioeconomic group as well. There is no medical detection for autism.
In most cases, autism can be diagnosed by 2 to 3 years old, with many diagnosed by 18 months. There are still a large number of children who remain undiagnosed until they are older than 4-years-old. Early signs and symptoms of autism include:
Science has yet to determine all the causes of ASD. There seem to be several environmental, biological, and genetic factors that make a child more likely to have a disorder on the autism spectrum. Research shows that genetics and children born to older parents can increase the chances of having autism. If parents have one child with autism, there is a chance that any other children they have may also have autism.
Autism can be challenging to diagnose as there is no medical testing available to diagnose it. Diagnosis is made based on the developmental history and behaviors of a child. While a diagnosis is occasionally possible by 18 months, some children are not diagnosed until they are much older. In some cases, autism is not diagnosed until the person is in their adolescent years or even as an adult. Unfortunately, those who are not diagnosed until much later in life may not receive the help they need to adjust to societal expectations of developing friendships and communication skills.
The treatment path for autism can vary due to the age of the child at diagnosis. In general, the treatment for autism is broken down into four preferred categories:
When the focus is on behavior and communication, the treatment can consist of directed therapy that involves both the child and other family members. It encourages positive behaviors while discouraging negative behaviors. The treatments can include:
There are some theories that making changes to a child's diet can help with the symptoms of autism. These changes are based on the removal of food allergies and the addition of vitamins and mineral supplements.
Medications used in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder are focused on specific symptoms. Areas that respond best to pharmaceutical intervention include:
St. Sophie's Psychiatric Center provides exceptional mental health services to those in Minnesota and North Dakota. We can treat those with autism spectrum disorder using psychiatric counseling, behavior modification, and medication management.
To learn more about how we can help with ASD, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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