What is ASD?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of neurological disorders that
has a wide range (or spectrum) of symptoms, levels of impairments, skills, or disabilities.
Disorders on the Spectrum:
has a wide range (or spectrum) of symptoms, levels of impairments, skills, or disabilities.
Disorders on the Spectrum:
- Asperger's
- Autism
- PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified)
- Rett's Disorder (Rett's Syndrome)
- Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD)
Recognize the Signs
Autism is a life-long, incurable, neurological disorder, but recognizing the symptoms and early intervention can assist the child in overcoming some of the obstacles autism presents.
Symptoms of Autism
- Lack of eye contact
- Lack of social skills
- Over sensitivity or under sensitivity to light, sounds, or touch.
- Repetitive behavior (hand flapping, rocking, pacing, spinning, hitting themselves, twisting, spinning), and speech (echolalia)
- Lack of, or limited verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Lack of empathy
- Easily distressed by changes in routine
- Inappropriate laughter or crying
- Inappropriate attachment to inanimate objects or parts of objects
- Has little to no concept of danger, and has impulsive behavior
- Extreme hyperactivity, or unusual passivity
- Prefers to be alone