A child could have mild symptoms of autism, but parents and guardians should still take proactive steps to seek a diagnosis. When a child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), caregivers can work with professionals to develop appropriate strategies in response.
Main signs of autism
finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling. getting very anxious about social situations. finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own. seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to.
Asperger's Syndrome is the mildest form of autism and is closely associated with level one of ASD.
People with ASD have challenges with social communication, usually resist changes in their routine, and can be hypersensitive to noise, smell, touch, and other sensory experiences. These symptoms can range from mild to severe.
The simple answer to this question is yes, a person with autism spectrum disorder can live independently as an adult. However, not all individuals achieve the same level of independence.
If the autism spectrum disorder left untreated it will have a detrimental effect on that person's life make him dependent on others. Additionally there are higher chances for the appearance of new symptoms which were absent before that eventually worsen the situation.
Autism has a wide spectrum and not every individual with autism can find a place in mainstream schools. However, I have had a few success stories where the right support and timely intervention helped. Several students from my schools were able to successfully complete their education from mainstream schools.
While parents typically report concerns in the first year of life,3 many children do not receive diagnoses until much later. Several studies have suggested that diagnoses of autism made at age 2 years are stable through age 3 years,4-7 and diagnoses made by age 5 years are stable up to late adolescence.
Although 2019 research suggests some symptoms of ADHD and ASD overlap, there are distinct differences. A person with ADHD may have attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity challenges. But an autistic individual may have difficulties with communication, social interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors.
ASD has many similarities to ADHD, but there are also differences between the two. Can a person be diagnosed with both ADHD and ASD? More than half of all individuals who have been diagnosed with ASD also have signs of ADHD. In fact, ADHD is the most common coexisting condition in children with ASD.
It is often the case that the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder are not noticed until after three years of age or even much later, but it is still not possible for those characteristics to develop later in life and be considered ASD.
Autism is not an illness
It means your brain works in a different way from other people. It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older. If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life.
Children can be misdiagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and not actually be autistic. It is concerning enough for a parent to be told their child is on the Autism Spectrum, but for a child to be misdiagnosed as having autism can cause unnecessary stress and worry for the family.
Is there a test I can try? A good place to start might be to do a self-assessment. There is a questionnaire called the AQ10 test which you can download and complete to give a general indication of whether someone might have Autism. There are 2 versions available, one for adults & one for children (AQ10 for children).
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult since there are no medical tests to diagnose it, and it's exhibited as a spectrum of closely related symptoms.
Reasons for Misdiagnosis
Many symptoms of autism and ADHD overlap, such as difficulty concentrating, poor social skills, frequent pacing, and repetitive behaviors. Many children with these symptoms receive an ADHD diagnosis before their doctor eventually concludes that the true cause is autism.
People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. It is important to note that some people without ASD might also have some of these symptoms.
People with mild ASD are often very good at masking their symptoms. If they are undiagnosed, they may struggle with feeling different, misunderstood, or be confused by other's behavior. This can cause serious problems and isolate them from their loved ones in ways they don't even realize.
The symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder may change over time but the underlying condition doesn't worsen. The simple answer to this question is, no. Autism Spectrum Disorder is not like heart disease or diabetes or similar physical conditions that can deteriorate over time.
Autism in young children
avoiding eye contact. not smiling when you smile at them. getting very upset if they do not like a certain taste, smell or sound. repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, flicking their fingers or rocking their body.
We know that there's no one cause of autism. Research suggests that autism develops from a combination of genetic and nongenetic, or environmental, influences. These influences appear to increase the risk that a child will develop autism.
Most experts agree that there is no cure for autism. That's why many of them approach ASD in a way that looks at the management of symptoms or development of skills and support, which includes behavioral, psychological, and educational therapy.