Autistic children are less likely to make requests or share experiences, and are more likely to simply repeat others’ words . Joint attention seems to be necessary for functional speech, and deficits in joint attention seem to distinguish autistic infants. For example, they may look at a pointing hand instead of the object to which the hand is pointing, and they consistently fail to point at objects in order to comment on or share an experience. Autistic children may have difficulty with imaginative play and with developing symbols into language. Some autistic linguistic behaviors include repetitive or rigid language, and restricted interests in conversation. For example, a child might repeat words or insist on always talking about the same subject.

Behavioral, psychological, and educational interventions

For example, they could have trouble communicating but be unusually good at art, music, math, or things that involve memory. Because of this, they might do especially well on tests of analysis or problem-solving. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Many conditions share the same symptoms as MSA, and an official diagnosis may never be made. Many autistic people have aversions to food flavors or textures, but they don’t need to keep you from eating a nutritious and enjoyable diet.

Research has made clear that high quality early intervention can improve learning, communication and social skills, as well as underlying brain development. Some autistic people, as well as a growing number of researchers, have advocated a shift in attitudes toward the view that autism spectrum disorder is a difference, rather than a disease that must be treated or cured. Critics have bemoaned the entrenchment of some of these groups’ opinions.

What are the different types of autism?

This perspective has led to significant controversy among those who are autistic and advocates, practitioners, and charities. Some therapies for autism, such as applied behavior analysis, are controversial in the autism rights movement, with many considering them unhelpful and unethical. It is important to note that some people withoutASD might also have some of these symptoms. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition. Scientists believe there are multiple causes of ASD that act together to change the most common ways people develop. We still have much to learn about these causes and how they impact people with ASD. Promoting inclusive and enabling environments for people with autism and other developmental disabilities and providing support to their caregivers.

Echolalia may also be present in autistic people, for example by responding to a question by repeating the inquiry instead of answering. Language impairment is also common in autistic children, but is not part of a diagnosis. Many autistic children develop language skills at an uneven pace where they easily acquire some aspects of communication, while never fully developing others, such as in some cases of hyperlexia. Some people remain completely nonverbal throughout their lives. The CDC estimated that around 40% of autistic children do not speak at all, although the accompanying levels of literacy and nonverbal communication skills vary. Two theoretical frameworks outlined for early childhood intervention include structured and naturalistic ABA interventions, and developmental social pragmatic models . One interventional strategy utilizes a parent training model, which teaches parents how to implement various ABA and DSP techniques, allowing for parents to disseminate interventions themselves.

Early intervention can change a life.

They may be more vulnerable to developing chronic noncommunicable conditions because of behavioural risk factors such as physical inactivity and poor dietary preferences, and are at greater risk of violence, injury and abuse. The health-care needs of people with autism are complex and require a range of integrated services, that include health promotion, care and rehabilitation.

Read more about Music Therapy here.

Focused research into ASD became more common in the 1980s when the DSM-III established autism as a distinct diagnosis. Since then, researchers have explored the causes, symptoms, comorbidities, efficacy of treatments, and many other issues related to autism.

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Autism ASD: Symptoms, Causes, Tests, Treatment & More