What Is Autism? Symptoms of Autism you Should Know

Autism refers to a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders. If your child is living with autism, it is important for you to understand the various types of autism and the symptoms presented by each.

There are indications that instances of autism are on the rise. Some attribute this increase to environmental factors. However, experts debate whether there’s an actual increase in cases or just more frequent diagnoses.

Differences in people with ASD generally appear in the first 2 yearsTrusted Source of life. It is also three to four times more common in boys than in girls, although some research indicates this could be due to bias, as some autistic girls may go undiagnosed.

Understanding the unique challenges presented by each type of autism will guide you in helping your child cope with the disorder. There are five major types of autism which include Asperger’s syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, Kanner’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified.

What Causes Autism

The exact cause of ASD is unknown. The most current research demonstrates there’s no single cause.

Some suspected risk factors for ASD include:

♦ Having an immediate family member who’s autistic

♦ Certain genetic mutations

♦ Fragile X syndrome and other genetic disorders

♦ Being born to older parents

♦ Low birth weight

♦ Metabolic imbalances

♦ Exposure to heavy metals and environmental toxins

♦ A maternal history of viral infections

♦ Fetal exposure to the medications valproic acid or thalidomide (Thalomid)

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)Trusted Source, both genetics and environment may determine whether a person develops ASD.

A controversial 1998 study proposed a link between autism and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. However, that study has been debunked by other research and was eventually retracted in 2010. Read more about autism and its risk factors.

What are the Different Types of Autism

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Clinicians use it to diagnose a variety of psychiatric disorders.

The most recent fifth edition of the DSM was released in 2013. The DSM-5 currently recognizes five different ASD subtypes, or specifiers. They are:

♦ With or without accompanying intellectual impairment

♦ With or without accompanying language impairment

♦ Associated with a known medical or genetic condition or environmental factor

♦ associated with another neurodevelopmental, mental, or behavioral disorder

with catatonia

♦ Someone can receive a diagnosis of one or more specifiers.

Before the DSM-5, autistic people may have received a diagnosis of:

♦ Autistic disorder

♦ Asperger’s syndrome

♦ Pervasive development disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)

♦ Childhood disintegrative disorder

It’s important to note that a person who received one of these earlier diagnoses has not lost their diagnosis and will not need to be reevaluated.

Symptoms of Autism

Symptoms of ASD typically become clearly evident during early childhood, between ages 12 and 24 months. However, symptoms may also appear earlier or later. Early symptoms may include a marked delay in language or social development.

Problems with Communication Social

ASD can involve a range of issues with communication, many of which appear before age 5.

♦ From birth: trouble maintaining eye contact

♦ By 9 months: not responding to their name

♦ By 9 months: not displaying facial expressions reflective of their emotions (like surprise or anger)

♦ By 12 months: not engaging in basic interactive games, like peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake

♦ By 12 months: not using (or only using a few) hand gestures, like hand-waving

♦ By 15 months: not sharing their interests with others (by showing someone a favorite toy, for example)

♦ By 18 months: not pointing or looking where others point

♦ By 24 months: not noticing when others appear sad or hurt

♦  By 30 months: not engaging in “pretend play,” like caring for a baby doll or playing with figurines

♦ By 60 months of age: not playing turn-taking games, like duck-duck goose

As autistic children begin talking, they might also talk in an unusual tone that can range from high-pitched and “sing-songy” to robotic or flat.

They might also show signs of hyperlexia, which involves reading beyond what’s expected of their age. Children on the autism spectrum might learn to read earlier than their neurotypical peers, sometimes as early as age 2. But they tend to not comprehend what they’re reading.

While hyperlexia does not always accompany autism, research suggests nearly 84 percent of children with hyperlexia are on the spectrum.

As they interact with others, autistic children might have difficulty sharing their emotions and interests with others or find it hard to maintain back-and-forth conversation. Nonverbal communication, like maintaining eye contact or body language, might also remain difficult.

Limited and Repetitive Activities

In addition to the communication and social issues mentioned above, autism also includes symptoms related to body movements and behaviors.

♦ Repetitive movements, like rocking, flapping their arms, spinning, or running back and forth

♦ Lining objects, like toys, up in strict order and getting upset when that order is disturbed

♦ Attachment to strict routines, like those around bedtime or getting to school

♦ Repeating words or phrases they hear someone say over and over again

♦ Getting upset over minor changes

♦ Focusing intently on parts of objects, like the wheel of a toy truck or the hair of a doll

♦ Unusual reactions to sensory input, like sounds, smells, and tastes

♦ Obsessive interests

♦ Exceptional abilities, like musical talent or memory capabilities