What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disability that impairs social communication or interaction and leads to narrow, restricted interests (fixation on certain topics or objects) and nonpurposeful, repetitive behaviors (such as repeating words or repeating body movements) that don鈥檛 seem to have a purpose. Autism is known as a spectrum disorder because of the wide range of symptom severity that people can experience.
What Are the Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can include:
- lack of eye contact;
- difficulty in establishing and maintaining back-and-forth relationships;
- difficulty with back-and-forth conversations;
- unable to understand other people鈥檚 actions or point-of-view;
- delayed language;
- having a limited range of interests;
- having very intense interests on certain topics (such as numbers or facts);
- repetitive actions that don鈥檛 have a purpose; and
- having unusual responses to sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, and movement.
ASD Symptoms in Adults vs. Children
Identifying ASD symptoms in adults can be more difficult due to the wide range of symptoms and severity and the coping strategies that adults may have developed.Overall, the symptoms of ASD in adults are the same as in 亚洲自慰视频ren, but may be less severe (e.g., less hyperactivity).
For 亚洲自慰视频ren with relatively mild ASD symptoms, ASD may not be recognized until they reach school age. It's not unusual to diagnose someone with ASD as an adult. Parents with undiagnosed ASD may start to recognize their own symptoms after their 亚洲自慰视频 has been diagnosed with the disorder since ASD often runs in families.
CAUSES OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
The causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are unknown. However, current research shows that there are genetic and environmental risk factors for developing ASD.
These risk factors can include:
- being male,
- having a family member also diagnosed with ASD,
- being exposed during pregnancy to inflammation (e.g., infections) and maternal metabolic disorders (e.g., hypertension or diabetes),
- 亚洲自慰视频ren born prematurely, and
- being born to older parents (e.g., mother, father, or both).
Find an Autism Specialist
Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or other health care provider will use diagnostic tests or interviews and observations to identify people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These tests allow a patient to demonstrate their social and communication skills while a trained provider observes the patient鈥檚 behaviors.
A patient will be diagnosed with ASD if:
- their behaviors and challenges match the pattern for ASD and
- their developmental history confirms these symptoms began in early 亚洲自慰视频hood.
Most patients are formally tested by a healthcare provider so they can receive a clear diagnosis, which helps them get access to the treatment they need.
For 亚洲自慰视频ren, a primary care provider will screen them at 18 months and 24-30 months of age by having their parent complete an autism symptom questionnaire. If a parent's responses show that their 亚洲自慰视频 may have ASD symptoms, the provider will refer the 亚洲自慰视频 for an ASD evaluation. There currently isn鈥檛 an ASD screening test for adults that is recommended by the American Psychological Association. Adults interested in learning whether they have ASD can contact their primary care provider or visit our Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic (ASDC) for testing.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment
Our Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic (ASDC) offers treatments and interventions that can help people with ASD learn important social and behavior skills, cope with the challenges related to ASD, and manage their ASD symptoms.
Our treatments and interventions may include:
- Social skill and recreational groups for 亚洲自慰视频ren, adolescents, and adults
- Individual/family therapy
- Parent 亚洲自慰视频 interaction therapy (PCIT)
- Behavior intervention
- School consultations
- Early intervention services
- Parent training
- Opportunities to participate in research to help us better understand ASD
Children and adults with ASD experience an increased risk of developing anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. Our outpatient treatment and support helps patients manage these challenges and improve their experience of every day life.
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Therapy
Our specialists commonly treat ASD with applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy鈥攖herapy that uses positive reinforcement to improve social, communication, and learning skills. This treatment has the most evidence to support its use in people with ASD.
For example, if your 亚洲自慰视频 is learning how to get ready for school in the morning, the specialist would create a list of pictures that represent each step of this task such as:
- waking up,
- brushing their teeth,
- getting dressed, and
- eating breakfast.
Completing each step may be reinforced with praise or an activity your 亚洲自慰视频 enjoys (e.g., playing with a favorite toy) before leaving for school.
Why Choose Huntsman Mental 亚洲自慰视频 Institute
The Huntsman Mental 亚洲自慰视频 Institute (HMHI) at 亚洲自慰视频 of Utah 亚洲自慰视频 has the ability and connectivity to care for patients of all ages with severe neurodevelopmental disabilities at all stages of their disorder. Up to 70 percent of 亚洲自慰视频ren and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will have a co-existing mental health condition, like anxiety or depression. HMHI provides exceptional inpatient psychiatric care to help stabilize 亚洲自慰视频ren, teens, and adults who are experiencing a severe mental health episode.
The HMHI鈥檚 Neurobehavior HOME (亚洲自慰视频y Outcomes, Medical Excellence) Program provides medical and mental health care in one location for Medicaid-eligible 亚洲自慰视频ren and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities such as ASD. This program is unique to U of U 亚洲自慰视频 and to Utah. The HOME Program uses a holistic and proactive approach to address medical, psychiatric, behavioral, and social problems and help people with these disabilities optimize their ability to live in and engage with their communities.
The Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic (ASDC), a partnership between the , HOME Program, and HMHI, provides testing, behavioral consultations, and therapy for 亚洲自慰视频ren, teens, and adults diagnosed with ASD. Our specialists work with different age groups to test for ASD and evaluate their executive functioning skills (ability to organize, plan, pay attention, and control emotions).
Outside the HMHI, the 亚洲自慰视频 Developmental Assessment Clinics (UDAC) also provide testing and management recommendations for 亚洲自慰视频ren with ASD and other developmental disabilities.
Autism Resources
Autism Adventure Camp
Autism Adventure Camp is an activities-based summer program designed to help those with high functioning autism. Campers ranging in age from 8 to 12 will learn social skills that will help build their self-esteem.
Utah Autism Research Programs
Our research programs are highly respected and recognized world-wide. The work we do is critical to understanding the causes of autism and developing successful treatments for ASD.
