Autism Spectrum Disorders

What are the common symptoms of autism?

Autism is a mental disorder that affects the way the brain functions. Language delays, delayed social interaction, inadequate communication skills, frequent temper tantrums and behavior problems are common with the disorder and signs of the condition can generally be seen at approximately 18 months of age. Approximately 1 in 150 kids will be affected by the disorder. There are varying degrees of autism, with some children needing minimal assistance and others requiring a larger amout to be a functioning member of society.

Children with autism may respond to various stimuli differently. Some autistic children are uncomfortable with physical affections and simple hugs or kisses may make them uncomfortable. Common sounds can also make the child uncomfortable and some children respond by covering their ears, hiding or saying words repetitively. A common characteristic that can be seen in children with autism is that they appear to like schedules. Many autistic children have difficulty with change and become emotionally upset when familiar things change.

Common symptoms and characteristics of autism include:

Obsessive interests and repetitive behaviors
Lack of communication skills
Impaired social interaction
Minimal eye contact
Lack of empathy
Behavior problems
Sensitive to sounds and touch
Withdrawal
Rocking back and forth
Head banging

There is no cure for autism, but treatment options include various forms of therapy to help the child reach their maximum potenital. Many autistic children learn to communicate by sign language during the early years of life. Therapy often includes general communication, social and life skills that the child can use during daily experiences. Medications are often prescribed to help children with behavior problems.

Comments: Autism Spectrum Disorders

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RobinG - 15 days ago.
Also I found youtube to be very helpful!1 Search it on youtube and you will find many videosof families sharing :) You can view my sons videos by entering cardinal12803

RobinG - 15 days ago.
Hi there ((big hugs to you )) There are many sites but I found with my son (mild autism) that the best source of info came from other parents who have children on the spectrum and most importantly an active site like this one where you can turn to anytime for help and guidance ~ this site http://www.asdfriendly.org/board/ has been a god send to me ~ it has SO many with chldren on the spectrum and many with AS (aspergers) they will surely help you!! Not sure where you are located but the site has many from the UK and some US. I am in the US but still found it very helpful! Only thing different was specific testing terms etc but there still may be some from US who can help :) I am a member of 4 ASD sites and that one is the most helpful. there is also live chat too at times :) What helped me most was to educate myself. I read alot, asked my therapist team lots of questions and didnt settle on anything. My son is Mildly autistic which is sim to AS but with a language delay. He is high functioning too. Here is a video I made on him ~ it is his ASD but still applies :) Feel free to email me anytime!!! I can share other resources too for ya :) autism speaks on faceboook too is helpful :)

mother649808 - 15 days ago.
My 6 year old little boy eas just diagnosed with Aspergers. I need to research this but I would like some reliable info. Anyone have any ideas where to start with this life long journey? Thanks ladies!

RobinG - 37 days ago.
Interesting observation with my son ~ just wanted to share :) Hunter is mild and communication is difficult for him at times. I have a little boy I care for occassionally who has VCFS. Nothing to do with autism but he is mostly non verbal. what little he does say is soft spoken and single words. He is 5 but very tiny. Same size as my son. He too uses sign language minimally. Hunter could care less if kids are around or not. He is quite content on playing alone most often and not involve in what they are doing. Yesterday school was closed so I had zac for the day. Hunter was ALL over him!! hugging, holding, laying on him. You name it. He doesnt do this with anyone, and with me and DH even that is downscaled in comparison to what he did with Zac. So I spoke to the PT today about and what she said made TOTAL sense :) She said what does or doesnt he do that everyone else does? I said verbally communicate. He isnt challanged by him for various things that occur in oral communication ~ She said him using body language makes Hunter much more comfortable :) So just wanted to share in case it can benefit anyone here :) TX!

SecondPregFirstTwins - 62 days ago.
Hi everyone. I live BC and my son is in this fantastic autism program called EIBI and our government decided to shut it down in January. I have an online petition going and I'd like you all read it and sign if you like. Plus I have a u tube video of an on camera interview with and our local news. I will add the links to this comment. Please watch and read. Much appreciated. If this link doesn't work, you can copy and paste it into your web address and then it'll work. http://apps.facebook.com/petitions/view?pid=110981766 This one is for the u tube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxfVtfoQIB0&feature=autofbTitle:Taking away from Autistic Children

RobinG - 69 days ago.
Very mild and high functioning is def mild and kids can seem 'normal' often. Perhaps look into PDD-NOS ~ Thing is no two days are the same ~ so you cant go by his last testing. So what Hunter may do one minute he may not do the next and visa versa so to go by how he did one time in docs office cant be used only to dx. If he was fine the other times it doesnt mean the concerns werent there and docs know that. Same goes for a day he doesnt do so good. hunter had a very good apmnt the day he was dx but having had 8 months of documentation they had what they needed to know and I see it. And he saw things I didnt having had it explained to me after. Not always is it evident ~ there are days he seems fine and I question it but other times it is there so clearly. The criteria doesnt mean that to fit it is 'always a probelm' it means is a struggle often but not always' Docs know what to look for and often it is things we dont really understand or always see which may be why you dont see it. I know by me they are never fast to just give it so if they did they must have a reason, perhaps wording it as they did was wrong. I'd go back and get another opinion. A 3rd can change so you cant go by that ~ kids who have ASD change day to day so even if he was fine 2 times it doesnt mean he was fine the 3rd. I spoke to a mom once and she is ASD. I asked where she was on spectrum and she said she cant say cause it varies~ throughout her life she has changed. Get a copy of the detailed report and read it ~ mine was very thorough in sharing what it was that put him on the spectrum. I know a boy who was AS like your son and he seemed fine too ~ it is VERY high functioning from what I see. Sometimes outsiders looking in see what we dont. I have a friend who has a child who is moderate and he is 4 and she thinks he doesnt have it at all and to me looking in and having a mild son I can see it clearly and nothing I say convinces her. Even when many see it. I have an older son who was dx ADD and to be honest I think it is more AS or SPD and to fight for help is hard. your son will get the help he needs. Even if one year he doesnt need it one day he might. Doctors who cant say 100% it isnt may give the dx to be safe then sorry. If the docs cant say it isnt then it is probably best to give it since not having it would be more obvious I'd feel. I personally would rather the DX be there if it were my son so he got help he needed instead of no dx and me fighting constantly for him to get help in school. What you may view as slight immaturety may not be that but ASD. ((hugs)) Best bet is to get another opinion if you arent convinced. I must ask though ~ my sons dx doesnt bother me, I am sad but it is what it is and I will do all I can to help him. With your son having the DX is it harmful to him or does it bother you that he has that DX? I thankfully am ok but I have heard it is common for parents to feel guilty for thier kids having it. I really feel that an experienced doc, who has written books, wouldnt give it at all if it wasnt so if she has to flip a coin saying it is she really must have a justifiable reason. Maybe get some books on AS and meet other families. It took me a long time to begin to understand the dx and what the symtoms were. While it used to be hard for me to recognize the signs from not being educated on it I now see it because I've read and read and read and talked to other families. If you chat with moms with a mild or mold moderate ASD child it will not be the same as an AS child (high functioning) so best to meet some like your son :) You may find it is what you needed to understand better ~ ((hugs))

SHERRYBABYDEAN - 69 days ago.
The behaviour was not really an issue.He was slightly immature because he collects cars still at 13.When he lived with me he had plenty of friends.He had a little when diagnosed there but,he'd only been there a short time.He now has a lot.The diagnosis,like I had said before,was a flip of the coin.He didn't even meet most of the DSM-IV criteria.I don't think special ed will do much for him.His grades when he lived here were all A's & B's except for math.It bothers me about having to flip a coin to diagnose him.One day she calls and said she ruled it out and the next she says,'I think I'll diagnose him with Aspergers'.She is very well qualified.She even wrote a book on Autism.If he does have it then it has to be extremely mild.He actually had 3 DSM-IV tests.I find it strange that his first and second DSM-IV didn't even come close to a diagnosis.How can a third have changed?Is it possible for a child to be asked so many times that he starts acting that way?The doctor said that he had little eye contact and rocked.Never in his life has that been true.Even now.It seemed like he was prompted or was just acting this way.Even the doctor said that that was not consistent.I'm not in denial.I an just confused.Is there such a thing as so low on the spectrum that it could be a flip of the coin?Thanks ladies!

mountainmama - 73 days ago.
robin you're right--this forum should be changed to autism spectrum disorders.

mountainmama - 73 days ago.
sherry~~having the diagnosis can help if there are problems so it might be a positive thing. your son might be eligible for various types of services/accommodations in school and at home depending on what's available in your area. and robin is right~~ask the doctor what behavior he displays that he would consider asd. all asd is currently diagnosed by behavior.

RobinG - 73 days ago.
There have been children dx with autism that havent had vacs ~ I dont support the thought that it is caused by vacs. vacs may cause it in a select few but I think it is more rare. I think most are born with it. Research non organic foods and the dirty dozen and its effects on the neuro and brain ~ I think that is where the cause of autism rests. But thats just me ~

RobinG - 73 days ago.
Sherry ~ my son who is 22 months has mild autism. No two autistic children are the same so this list cant be relied on. And many have co-morbids. And it depends on if they are hypo or hyper when it comes to things. Hunter struggles with motor planning, sensory integration, oral dyspraxia and language. We knew something was off at 8 months with eating and at 16 months he was dx wiht autism specturm disorder. He had been in therapy for 8 months at that time so it was easy to dx him so young. This list doesnt quite describe Hunter either. He does many of these things at times and other times very rare. You could be around my son and not know anything is wrong. Being mild or high functioning and asbergers means it is mild and high functioning. So it is VERY different then classic autism. I had recommended Laura change this forum to ASD since the spectrum is HUGE and classic is not the same has mild or moderate or PDD-NOS etc etc. And to have a concern that is related to ASD (esp high functioning) doesnt mean it will be evident all the time or very obvious and strong all the time. Best thing is to ask your doc what the specifics were that he ws dx with asbergers. My son was dx based on the DSM-IV Criteria for Autism. I'd check it out. Here is an awesome site that helped me. I'd suggest reading and meeting others with AS ~ they may be able to help you ((hugs)) http://www.asdfriendly.org/board/

SHERRYBABYDEAN - 73 days ago.
My older son lives with his father..He was failing in math.He's a 13 year old.I was told that it was a toss of the coin to diagnose him.He was acting a little crazy at a dance once and he collects cars.I collect things.This was thought to be immature.He has to be told to do school work repeatedly.He'll do it if he can do it on a computer.That was the reason for diagnosing him with Aspergers.He didn't meet most of the criteria.He did not meet the criteria with another person so,he had him re-evaluated.He does none of the things listed on this page,unless you consider loving car collecting and the computer.

mountainmama - 78 days ago.
sherry-----the thing about autism spectrum disorders is that every child is sooooo different. some kids hate to be held, some seek it out, some are talkative & want friends, some can't put together a word & avoid others, some hate loud noises, some love loud noises. if you are questioning the diagnosis i would go right to the source and ask for an explaination. there's different criteria that must be met for a diagnosis. and it's your right as a parent to have that information.

mountainmama - 78 days ago.
although you can't typically diagnosis autism until later on (yet), i've known mothers that have told me they knew when there babies were newborns (prior to mmr) that something wasn't off about their child. of course i've known mothers that say after 15 months or so seeing a decline in development--losing skills they had previously mastered....it would be interesting to look at though--that rates of autism in unvaccinated children. i'd also be interested to look at adults who are diagnosed MR but actually have autism, their history, their vaccination records, etc. my husband just went through a graduate special education course and it was discussed that it's probable that some children labeled with conduct disorders (which i guess was a popular diagnosis in the 90s) might actually be on the autism spectrum.......

toveandbrody - 78 days ago.
Just a question, I wonder how often kids who are NOT immunized get autism?

SHERRYBABYDEAN - 78 days ago.
My oldest son was diagnosed with Aspergers(sp).I've read up on it on the Internet and he just does not seem to fit the bill.He plays with cars at 13 years old,maybe a little immature,and is pretty unorganized.That's about all I could match on him.He loved to be held,is very outgoing and wants to be friends with anyone and everyone.He's on the student counsel at school even.Any suggestions??

tquinn - 80 days ago.
Mountainmama- there really is nothing here I even called a clinic here and was told that I could send my daughter hundreds of miles away during the week. No Way! They then informed me that all we have here is regular special ed. in schools. I asked her teacher about aba therapy and all I got was that she had heard of it but we don't have it here. I asked for a one on one aid for her and was told that she is not mentally advanced enough for one, what the? She needs one on one so someone can get to know what she is trying to communicate. Today at her first day of first grade we get the dreaded call to come get her, she was puking alot. I say it's her anxiety, her teacher says flu so we will wait and see. I simply said either way she won't be back till next week. No fever. I think I am going to cry now. So till I figure this all out talk to you later.

mountainmama - 80 days ago.
tquinn~~that sucks there are no services in your area! is there a large university nearby? maybe the university is conducting research? i knew one girl that was going to the local college and was involved in various services through them....worth a shot.

mountainmama - 80 days ago.
hey mommysprice..i work for an agency that provides services for people/children with autism....i don't know where you live, but are you able to access any more services? you got a diagnosis early--which is great! i would recommend trying to get speech and play therapy (which you said you have 2x a week) increased to five days a week. also some areas have inclusive pre schools (which at 19 months would be too young) that have 1:1s for children with autism...but you could always start looking into them now to prepare. i've known many families to try gluten free diets, mostly with little success, however that doesn't mean it wouldn't help your child. i've read of families seeing positive results from such. i have to meet a child with autism without gut issues, but i'm sure there's some out there! :)

tquinn - 80 days ago.
Yes, I hear exactly what you are saying (xtrisha). New studies show a link in heredity of Autism now. I have a 6 yr. old daughter with it and it is severe. I found out my baby is a girl as well. Some relief is the fact that girls have a less chance of getting it than boys, so they say. I will wait and be very nervous until I know for sure that this little one does not show signs it can show up at up to two years. But if I see delays I will get help asap. I hate feeling this fear inside. Let's just hope and pray that our babies won't have this challenge.

xtrishaxleax - 80 days ago.
I'm 26 weeks pregnant with my first and I'm the oldest of my siblings. My little brother is autistic and I know they say its not genetic but I am terrified that my baby will have autism. Even if she does, I will love her and all but I seen how hard it is for my brother. It scares me. Has anyone else felt this way or been in this situation?

RobinG - 89 days ago.
I am aware of that and my post reflected that ~

evas - 89 days ago.
Organic and gluten free are two entirely different things.

robing - 94 days ago.
I've considered it but havent done it yet ~ I do feed him alot of organic though :).

mommysprice - 94 days ago.
have any of you ladies tried to gf/cf diet with you kids? (gluten/ casein free)