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Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States today.

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Most symptoms can be seen in the first three years of life. Symptoms include difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication, delay in language development, repetitive and routine behaviors, such as walking in a specific pattern or insisting on eating the same meal every day, and even a lack of social understanding that makes interaction with peers challenging.

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Why might people not know if they have autism?

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Why might people not know if they have autism?

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There is no medical test that can determine the possibility of developing autism. So an exact knowledge might be limited. Another reason people might not know if they have this disease is because some autism can be minor and hard to notice. Some parents my not see the symptoms until later in their life.

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Children with Autism may be at a higher risk for developing other mental health conditions, including Anxiety Disorders, ADHD or Depression. They also are targets for bullies because of how they look or act.

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There is no specific treatment that can cure this illness, but depending on the severeness, therapy can help with social and communication skills. Therapists, usually Psychotherapists use these 4 things to help kids with autism including

Smaller classes with individual time with teachers and therapists.

Focusing on tasks that may be difficult for a few hours a day.

Learning skills for adapting to new situations.

Having structure and a schedule to help cancel out distractions.

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DEPRESSION:
- Changes in appetite
- Hopelessness or guilty thoughts
- Suicidal thoughts

SUICIDE:
- Giving away valuable possessions
- Withdrawal from social interactions
- Thoughts abut killing oneself

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What Can Mental Health Professionals Do to help?

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What Can Mental Health Professionals Do to help?

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Mental health professionals use floor time to target speech, motor or cognitive skills through its focus on emotional development through interactive play between parents and children. Overall, it aims to help children learn a number of developmental skills, including interpersonal interaction, emotional thinking and advanced communication.

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- The Center For Control Disease and Prevention (CDC) say that 1 in 59 8-year-old children in the United States have Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Boys are 4 times  more likely than girls to develop symptoms of ASD.
https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions
- Autism now affects every 1 in 110 children.
https://psychcentral.com/disorders/

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- Delay in language development; speaking only in single words.
- Repetitive behaviors such as walking in a specific pattern.
- Sensory dysregrulation

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Some foundations that are helping fund research for autism include:

Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation: https://myasdf.org

Autism Speaks:
https://www.autismspeaks.org/

National Autism Association:
https://nationalautismassociation.org