What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Autism can be diagnosed at any age, but it typically appears within the first 2 years of life.
Symptoms
The following symptoms may be present in someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder, though symptoms may vary from person to person:
- Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people
- Making little or inconsistent eye contact
- Appearing not to look at or listen to people who are talking
- Infrequently sharing interest, emotion, or enjoyment of objects or activities (including infrequent pointing at or showing things to others)
- Not responding or being slow to respond to one’s name or to other verbal bids for attention
- Having difficulties with the back and forth of conversation
- Often talking at length about a favorite subject without noticing that others are not interested or without giving others a chance to respond
- Displaying facial expressions, movements, and gestures that do not match what is being said
- Having an unusual tone of voice that may sound sing-song or flat and robot-like
- Having trouble understanding another person’s point of view or being unable to predict or understand other people’s actions
- Difficulties adjusting behaviors to social situations
- Difficulties sharing in imaginative play or in making friends
- Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors
- Repeating certain behaviors or having unusual behaviors, such as repeating words or phrases (a behavior called echolalia)
- Having a lasting intense interest in specific topics, such as numbers, details, or facts
- Showing overly focused interests, such as with moving objects or parts of objects
- Becoming upset by slight changes in a routine and having difficulty with transitions
- Being more sensitive or less sensitive than other people to sensory input, such as light, sound, clothing, or temperature
- Symptoms that affect their ability to function in school, work, and other areas of life
Sanctuary Centers Treats Autism Spectrum Disorder
At Sanctuary Centers, we offer many treatments for those with higher functioning levels Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our approach to treating ASD includes behavioral, developmental, social, and cognitive interventions, which then are coupled with individual and group therapies designed to provide a path toward educational and vocational pursuits.
Additionally, we also treat Social Communication Disorder, which may apply to individuals who do not have the restricted interests or repetitive behavior you see in Autism Spectrum Disorder, but still have deficits in the social use of language.