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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate, and interact with others. ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and early diagnosis/intervention and access to appropriate services/supports lead to significantly improved outcomes.

autism-society.org, What is Autism?

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No babbling or pointing by age of 1

No words or phrases by age of 2

No response to name

Loss of language or social skills

Poor eye contact

Excessive lining up of toys or objects

No smiling or social responsiveness.

(Hallahan, 216)

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Impaired ability to make friends with peers

Impaired ability to initiate a conversation with others

Absence of imaginative and social play

Restricted patterns of interest that are abnormal in intensity or focus

Preoccupation with certain objects or subjects

Inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals

(Hallahan, 217-218)

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Websites:
Autism Speaks

Books:

The Autism Sourcebook by Karen Exhort.

Hopes and Dreams by Kirby Lentz

Right from the Start by Sandra L. Harris and Mary Jane Weiss

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DSM-5 considers ASD symptoms to fall under two categories: social communication impairment and repetitive/restrictive behaviors.

Social Communication Impairment:

Lack communicative intent, or the desire to communicate for social purposes.

Linked to impairment in ability to engage in joint attention.

Problems with pragmatics, the social uses of language.

Repetitive/Restricted Behaviors:

Twirling, spinning objects, flapping hands, and rocking.

Extreme fascination or preoccupation with objects

Synesthesia, stimulation of one sensory or cognitive system results in the stimulation of another sensory or cognitive system.

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There is no known single cause for Autism. Some risk factors are:

Genetics

Environmental

Brain Biology

More information can be found at https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/learn-more-autism/what-causes-autism

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"Helping Preschool Children with Autism: Teachers and Parents as Partners" Program Overview

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- The prevalence is 5 times higher for boys than girls.
- ASD occurs in all socioeconomic, ethnic, and racial groups.
- There prevalence rate is just as high in Europe and Asia.