About Autism

Facts About ASD

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a term that covers a group of developmental disorders that begin in the early years and lasts throughout a person’s lifetime. It affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and behaves.

Autism is called a spectrum because it appears in so many ways. People with autism may be very different from each other – in age, interests, skills, cultures, etc. With all the differences, there is still a pattern of characteristics that defines autism.

Two primary areas of differences make up this pattern of characteristics. The manual used by most professionals in the United States who provide autism assessments, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5-TR), describes these core areas:

Differences in social community and interaction, which may include:

Avoids or has difficulty with eye contact
Has difficulty starting a conversation or taking turns while interacting
Has difficulty in regulating tone of voice or volume
Has difficulty understanding the thoughts and feelings of others
Has difficulty using and understanding body language and personal space
Does not respond to name by 9 months of age
Does not share interests with others by 15 months of age
Does not participate in pretend play
Has difficulty making friends
Feels overwhelmed in social situations

Differences in patterns of behaviors, interests, and activities, which may include:

Repeats words or phrases over and over
Engages in ritualistic behaviors such as putting on clothes in the same order, or watching the same videos over and over
Repeats movements such as spinning, pacing, flapping hands, toe walking, or rocking
Plays with toys or objects in a repetitive manner such as lining up, organizing, opening and closing, or flipping switches
Has strong interests in specific topics
Gets upset by small changes
Becomes distressed by changes in routine
Responds to sensory input such as taste, smell, touch, light, pain, movement, or temperature in an unusual manner. May seem to overreact or underreact.

Resources

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer an autism-specific webpage and various publications. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) publishes resources to inform parents and adults on the range of symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism-spectrum-disorder/index.shtml

The Autism Center at OCALI serves as a clearinghouse for information, resources, and tools that equip professionals and families to foster learning and growth to meet the unique needs of people with autism. http://www.ocali.org/center/autism

The Family and Community Outreach Center at OCALI connects families to information and resources and raises awareness and acceptance within the community. https://ocali.org/family-and-community-outreach-center