WHAT IS AUTISM
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What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or autism is a developmental disorder that affects a person's social communication and interaction. Individuals with ASD also have restricted and repetitive behavior, interests and activities. These characteristics fall across a "spectrum" ranging from mild to severe. While one person may have symptoms that impair his or her ability to perform daily activities, another may have only mildly noticeable differences and have few, if any, functional impairments.
In order for an individual to qualify for a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, they must meet the criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, American Psychological Association, 2013). The DSM-5 requires an individual to meet a specific number of criteria from two major categories. To be diagnosed with ASD, a person must have difficulty with social communication and interaction, and display restricted repetitive behaviors, interests and activities. The diagnostician will rank the characteristics based on level of severity and describe the support the individual needs. For individuals who were diagnosed with ASD prior to 2013, the DSM-5 advises that “individuals with a well-established DSM-IV diagnosis of autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified should be given the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.” How do I know if my child is developing typically?
The complete DSM-5 criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder is available to download at www.autismnj.org/ diagnosis
While there are general trends in how children develop, all children grow and learn differently. Many factors affect a child’s progress toward developmental milestones, and it may be difficult for parents to determine whether their child is on track due to individual differences. If delays are present, early intervention can have a significant and lasting impact. Therefore, it is important to become familiar with child development and discuss any questions with your child’s healthcare providers. How is ASD first identified? Pediatricians are often the first contact when parents become concerned about their child's development. During office visits, the physician may ask questions about the child’s development, and parents often share their concerns at that time. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that pediatricians screen for ASD during well checks at 18 and 24 months and at any time a parent raises a concern. Pediatricians will ask the parent questions to assess their child's progress toward typical milestones. They may utilize one of the commonly used screening instruments, such as the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F) or
Some developmental milestones include the following:
By 12 months, most children will:
• Imitate simple actions like clapping • Use basic gestures like waving and pointing • Respond when their name is called or when they’re told “no”
By 24 months, most children will:
• Enjoy playing with other children • Identify many different objects • Use 2- to 4-word phrases, such as “want juice” • Play imaginatively with a variety of toys • Follow complex instructions • Speak in 4- to 5-word sentences
By 36 months, most children will:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides detailed information about milestones from birth through age 5 at www.cdc.gov/actearly. In addition, parents can download a free app to track milestones at www.cdc.gov/milestonetracker
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