Autism Spectrum Disorder

Summary

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a person’s life. It affects how a person acts and interacts with others, communicates, and learns. It includes what used to be known as Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorders.

It is called a “spectrum” disorder because people with ASD can have a range of symptoms. People with ASD might have problems talking with you, or they might not look you in the eye when you talk to them. They may also have restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. They may spend a lot of time putting things in order, or they may say the same sentence again and again. They may often seem to be in their “own world.”

At well-child checkups, the health care provider should check your child’s development. If there are signs of ASD, your child will have a comprehensive evaluation. It may include a team of specialists, doing various tests and evaluations to make a diagnosis.

The causes of ASD are not known. Research suggests that both genes and environment play important roles.

There is currently no one standard treatment for ASD. There are many ways to increase your child’s ability to grow and learn new skills. Starting them early can lead to better results. Treatments include behavior and communication therapies, skills training, and medicines to control symptoms.

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

National Institute of Mental Health

Living With

• 100 Day Kit for Newly Diagnosed Families of School Age Children Autism Speaks
• Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Nutrition for Your Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Genetics

• 16p11.2 deletion syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• About Autism National Human Genome Research Institute
• ADNP syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Autism spectrum disorder: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• MBD5-associated neurodevelopmental disorder: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Timothy syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• White-Sutton syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• 6 Key Facts About Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Embracing Autism Diagnosis Helps Family Take Charge
• Eye Tracking Technology Holds Promise for Earlier Autism Diagnosis
• Predicting Autism in High-Risk Infants

Start Here

• Autism National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
• Autism Spectrum Disorder National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Autism Spectrum Disorder National Institute of Mental Health
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Teenagers

• Autism Spectrum Disorder Nemours Foundation

Patient Handouts

• Autism spectrum disorder Medical Encyclopedia
• Autism spectrum disorder – Asperger syndrome Medical Encyclopedia
• Childhood disintegrative disorder Medical Encyclopedia

Diagnosis and Tests

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening National Library of Medicine
• PTEN Genetic Test National Library of Medicine
• Screening and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Related Issues

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Frequently Asked Questions Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Communication Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
• Is There a Connection Between Vaccines and Autism? Nemours Foundation

Statistics and Research

• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Engaging in a Social World National Institutes of Health
• Baby Teeth Link Autism and Heavy Metals, NIH Study Suggests National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
• Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Prenatal Inflammation Linked to Autism Risk National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Treatments and Therapies

• Beware of Potentially Dangerous Products and Therapies that Claim to Treat Autism Food and Drug Administration
• Therapies for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• Treatment and Intervention Services for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• What Are the Treatments for Autism? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Health Check Tools

• CDC’s Developmental Milestones Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Find an Expert

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
• Psychologist Locator American Psychological Association

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Asperger Syndrome National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Autism Spectrum Disorder National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Autistic Disorder National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Child Development Disorders, Pervasive National Institutes of Health

Children

• Kids’ Quest: Autism Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Journal Articles

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Symptoms

• Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder Centers for Disease Control and Prevention