1.What Is Autism?
Autism, Asperger’s, and other similar disorders used to be separate diagnoses, but now all fall under the broader term Autism Spectrum Disorder, which some people still refer to as Autism. It is a brain disorder that limits a person’s ability to communicate and relate to other people. It first appears in young children, who fall along a spectrum from mild to severe. Some people can navigate their world, some have exceptional abilities, while others struggle to speak. ASDs affect about one child in 59, striking nearly four times as many boys as girls.
2.Signs of Autism
Before a child turns three, careful observers can see signs of autism. Some children develop normally until 18-24 months old and then stop or lose skills. Signs of an ASD can include:
Repeated motions (rocking or spinning)
Avoiding eye contact or physical touch
Delays in learning to talk
Repeating words or phrases (echolalia)
Getting upset by minor changes
It’s important to note that these signs can occur in children without ASDs, too.
