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A family-powered online Autism therapy resource. Helps your child learn through personalized therapy.

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Forta’s family powered autism therapy empowers you to help your child learn and develop through personalized therapy. Mediate ABA therapy and help your child diagnosed with autism progress to their next milestone.

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An incredible website with countless resources including: assessments, toys and educational games, curriculum, flashcards, and more. This website has so many resources to help Autistic children enjoy learning.

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Autism Products & Autism Teaching Tools | Different Roads to Learning

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Different Roads has autism products, teaching tools and other resources for parents, teachers and professionals. Find out what we have to offer at our store!

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A short informational video on ASD.

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The Florida DoH has a list of incredible resources for individuals with autism and their families.

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The Asperger/Autism Network (AANE) helps people with Asperger's or similar autism spectrum disorders and neurodiverse profiles build meaningful, connected lives. They provide individuals, families, and professionals with information, education, community, support, and advocacy.

The Autism Society of Florida (an affiliate of the national Autism Society) strives to assure full participation and self-determination in every aspect of life for people across the autism spectrum. The society offers individuals, families, and professionals information on autism throughout the lifespan, resources and support groups, and initiatives for advocacy and training.

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. This is carried out through advocacy and support, increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism, and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Autism Speaks offers information specifically for those experiencing a new autism diagnosis.

The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) provides support and assistance with the goal of optimizing the potential of people with autism and related conditions. The CARD website provides information that connects families to local, state, and federal agencies, support groups, and training on how to work effectively with individuals with autism and related conditions.

The Dan Marino Foundation is a non-profit organization that partners with Miami Children's Hospital to create the Nicklaus Children's Hospital Dan Marino Outpatient Center. The center is a comprehensive evaluation and treatment center for children with autism and other special needs.

Family Initiative works to develop an individualized plan to celebrate a child's abilities and help them advance using a multi-disciplinary approach to promote growth and ensure they survive.

The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services hosts a website for individuals with ASD and their families. This website offers resources and support on insurance policies and benefits available to individuals diagnosed with ASD.

The US Autism Association's mission is to provide opportunity for all individuals on the autism spectrum to achieve their fullest potential. The association works towards their goal by expanding and enriching the autism community through education, training, resources, and connection to support for individuals and their families.

Support Groups:
Autism Society of Greater Orlando My Autism Connection Inc.
Parenting Asperger's Community

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On this page you will find additional Autism Resources.

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An incredible program to assist with learning for children with autism in grades Pre-K through 12th Grade. IXL assists with thousands of learning skills.

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IXL | Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish

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IXL is the world’s most popular subscription-based learning site for K–12. Used by over 15 million students, IXL provides personalized learning in more than 17,000 topics, covering math, language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish. Interactive questions, awards, and certificates keep kids motivated as they master skills.

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The ASAN is an extensive resource library for individuals with autism and their loved ones.

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ASAN delves into significant social issues by way of reports and policy briefs created to benefit the Autistic and disability communities. These documents can be accessed at no cost through the links below.

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Resource Library - Autistic Self Advocacy Network

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Books Welcome to the Autistic Community! Bienvenidos a la Comunidad Autista Start Here: a guide for parents of autistic kids Knowing Why: Adult-Diagnosed Autistic People on Life and Autism Navigating College: A Handbook on Self Advocacy Empowering Leadership: A Systems Change Guide for Autistic College Students and Those with Other...

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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Overview

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a "developmental disorder" because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a guide created by the American Psychiatric Association that health care providers use to diagnose mental disorders, people with ASD often have:

Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people

Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors

Symptoms that affect their ability to function in school, work, and other areas of life

Autism is known as a "spectrum" disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience.

People of all genders, races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds can be diagnosed with ASD. Although ASD can be a lifelong disorder, treatments and services can improve a person's symptoms and daily functioning. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children receive screening for autism. Caregivers should talk to their child's health care provider about ASD screening or evaluation.

Signs and Symptoms of ASD

People with ASD have difficulty with social communication and interaction, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. The list below gives some examples of common types of behaviors in people diagnosed with ASD. Not all people with ASD will have all behaviors, but most will have several of the behaviors listed below.

Social communication / interaction behaviors may include:

Making little or inconsistent eye contact

Appearing not to look at or listen to people who are talking

Infrequently sharing interest, emotion, or enjoyment of objects or activities (including by infrequently pointing at or showing things to others)

Not responding or being slow to respond to one's name or to other verbal bids for attention

Having difficulties with the back and forth of conversation

Often talking at length about a favorite subject without noticing that others are not interested or without giving others a chance to respond

Displaying facial expressions, movements, and gestures that do not match what is being said

Having an unusual tone of voice that may sound sing-song or flat and robot-like

Having trouble understanding another person's point of view or being unable to predict or understand other people's actions

Difficulties adjusting behaviors to social situations

Difficulties sharing in imaginative play or in making friends

Restrictive / repetitive behaviors may include:

Repeating certain behaviors or having unusual behaviors, such as repeating words or phrases (a behavior called echolalia)

Having a lasting intense interest in specific topics, such as numbers, details, or facts

Showing overly focused interests, such as with moving objects or parts of objects

Becoming upset by slight changes in a routine and having difficulty with transitions

Being more sensitive or less sensitive than other people to sensory input, such as light, sound, clothing, or temperature

People with ASD may also experience sleep problems and irritability.

People on the autism spectrum also may have many strengths, including:

Being able to learn things in detail and remember information for long periods of time

Being strong visual and auditory learners

Excelling in math, science, music, or art

Causes and Risk Factors

Researchers don't know the primary causes of ASD, but studies suggest that a person's genes can act together with aspects of their environment to affect development in ways that lead to ASD. Some factors that are associated with an increased likelihood of developing ASD include:

Having a sibling with ASD

Having older parents

Having certain genetic conditions (such as Down syndrome or Fragile X syndrome)

Having a very low birth weight

Diagnosing ASD

Health care providers diagnose ASD by evaluating a person's behavior and development. ASD can usually be reliably diagnosed by the age of two. It is important to seek an evaluation as soon as possible. The earlier ASD is diagnosed, the sooner treatments and services can begin.

Diagnosis in Young Children

Diagnosis in young children is often a two-stage process.

Stage 1: General Developmental Screening During Well-Child Checkups

Every child should receive well-child check-ups with a pediatrician or an early childhood health care provider. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children receive screening for developmental delays at their 9-, 18-, and 24- or 30-month well-child visits, with specific autism screenings at their 18- and 24-month well-child visits. A child may receive additional screening if they are at high risk for ASD or developmental problems. Children at high risk include those who have a family member with ASD, show some behaviors that are typical of ASD, have older parents, have certain genetic conditions, or who had a very low birth weight.

Considering caregivers' experiences and concerns is an important part of the screening process for young children. The health care provider may ask questions about the child's behaviors and evaluate those answers in combination with information from ASD screening tools and clinical observations of the child. Read more about screening instruments on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

If a child shows developmental differences in behavior or functioning during this screening process, the health care provider may refer the child for additional evaluation.

Stage 2: Additional Diagnostic Evaluation

It is important to accurately detect and diagnose children with ASD as early as possible, as this will shed light on their unique strengths and challenges. Early detection also can help caregivers determine which services, educational programs, and behavioral therapies are most likely to be helpful for their child.

A team of health care providers who have experience diagnosing ASD will conduct the diagnostic evaluation. This team may include child neurologists, developmental pediatricians, speech-language pathologists, child psychologists and psychiatrists, educational specialists, and occupational therapists.

The diagnostic evaluation is likely to include:

Medical and neurological examinations

Assessment of the child's cognitive abilities

Assessment of the child's language abilities

Observation of the child's behavior

An in-depth conversation with the child's caregivers about the child's behavior and development

Assessment of age-appropriate skills needed to complete daily activities independently, such as eating, dressing, and toileting

Because ASD is a complex disorder that sometimes occurs with other illnesses or learning disorders, the comprehensive evaluation may include:

The outcome of the evaluation may result in a formal diagnosis and recommendations for treatment.

Diagnosis in older children and adolescents

Caregivers and teachers are often the first to recognize ASD symptoms in older children and adolescents who attend school. The school's special education team may perform an initial evaluation and then recommend that a child undergo additional evaluation with their primary health care provider or a health care provider who specialize in ASD.

A child's caregivers may talk with these health care providers about their child's social difficulties, including problems with subtle communication. These subtle communication differences may include problems understanding tone of voice, facial expressions, or body language. Older children and adolescents may have trouble understanding figures of speech, humor, or sarcasm. They also may have trouble forming friendships with peers.

Diagnosis in adults

Diagnosing ASD in adults is often more difficult than diagnosing ASD in children. In adults, some ASD symptoms can overlap with symptoms of other mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Adults who notice the signs and symptoms of ASD should talk with a health care provider and ask for a referral for an ASD evaluation. Although evaluation for ASD in adults is still being refined, adults can be referred to a neuropsychologist, psychologist, or psychiatrist who has experience with ASD. The expert will ask about:

Social interaction and communication challenges

Sensory issues

Repetitive behaviors

Restricted interests

The evaluation also may include a conversation with caregivers or other family members to learn about the person's early developmental history, which can help ensure an accurate diagnosis.

Obtaining a correct diagnosis of ASD as an adult can help a person understand past challenges, identify personal strengths, and find the right kind of help. Studies are underway to determine the types of services and supports that are most helpful for improving the functioning and community integration of autistic transition-age youth and adults.

Treatments and Therapies

Treatment for ASD should begin as soon as possible after diagnosis. Early treatment for ASD is important as proper care and services can reduce individuals' difficulties while helping them learn new skills and build on their strengths.

People with ASD may face a wide range of issues, which means that there is no single best treatment for ASD. Working closely with a health care provider is an important part of finding the right combination of treatment and services.

Medication

A health care provider may prescribe medication to treat specific symptoms. With medication, a person with ASD may have fewer problems with:

Irritability

Aggression

Repetitive behavior

Hyperactivity

Attention problems

Anxiety and depression

Read more about the latest medication warnings, patient medication guides, and information on newly approved medications at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.
Behavioral, psychological, and educational interventions

People with ASD may be referred to a health care provider who specializes in providing behavioral, psychological, educational, or skill-building interventions. These programs are typically highly structured and intensive, and they may involve caregivers, siblings, and other family members. These programs may help people with ASD:

Learn social, communication, and language skills

Reduce behaviors that interfere with daily functioning

Increase or build upon strengths

Learn life skills necessary for living independently

Other resources

Many services, programs, and other resources are available to help people with ASD. Here are some tips for finding these additional services:

Contact your health care provider, local health department, school, or autism advocacy group to learn about special programs or local resources.

Find an autism support group. Sharing information and experiences can help people with ASD and their caregivers learn about treatment options and ASD-related programs.

Record conversations and meetings with health care providers and teachers. This information helps when it's time to decide which programs and services are appropriate.

Keep copies of health care reports and evaluations. This information may help people with ASD qualify for special programs.

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Last Reviewed: March 2022
Unless otherwise specified, NIMH information and publications are in the public domain and available for use free of charge. Citation of NIMH is appreciated. Please see our Citing NIMH Information and Publications page for more information.

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a "developmental disorder" because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life.

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100 Things To Know About Autism - AngelSense

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Read and share our ultimate list for Autism Awareness Month. From fun facts, to tips that can foster acceptance, read all about Autism Spectrum Disorder.

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Another incredible website filled with resources and products for those with autism.

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Special Ed Curriculum, Visual Supports & More: National Autism Resources

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Shop our online store for the visual supports, sensory tools, social skills curriculum you need for your students with autism.

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A wonderful resource for teachers of students with autism.

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Watch your students' eyes light up with engaging tools and strategies that are practical to implement in the real-world. The place for evidence-based practices, tips, and tools designed just for your special education classroom & caseload. Shop Now You're on a mission to reach every student.

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Another amazing resource filled with ideas and materials to make your classroom Autism friendly.

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Your Home for Autism Education Resources - AutismClassroom.com

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Autism Classroom is dedicated to building the skills that bring out the best in students. We provide resources for autism education and social skills resources.

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A series of five short films that raise awareness and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

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A video where Hank Green explains the entire spectrum of Autism.

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A video aimed at raising awareness in non-autistic children, about Autism.