About Austism
Autism or ASD, is a developmental disorder that is characterized by a broad range of challenges relating to social skills, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Autism is considered a spectrum disorder, with each affected individual having their own strengths and challenges.
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There is currently no known cause of autism. However, research suggests that autism may develop from a combination of genetic, non-genetic, or environmental influences. A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. These conditions are now all called autism spectrum disorder.
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Given that autism is a spectrum disorder, each individual with autism has his or her own unique strengths and challenges. A good intervention program should be individualized to address the child's specific needs and the needs of their family or caregivers. Interventions can include behavioral intervention, other therapies, medicines and/or a combination of such and may require collaboration between treatment providers.
Resources
If you suspect that your child may have autism or would like to explore further, the CDC offers several resources available to parents. These resources can be found at:
https://www.cdc.gov/autism/about/index.html
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Autism Speaks also offers several useful resources which can be found at:
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Other resources offered by Autism Speaks:
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