Autism and ADHD Assessments & Diagnostics

Understanding Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by challenges in social communication and interaction, as well as restrictive and repetitive behaviors. Since it is a “spectrum” condition, each individual with autism has a unique set of strengths and difficulties.

Key Characteristics:

Social Interaction Differences:
- Difficulty understanding social cues and maintaining relationships.
- Struggles with adjusting behavior to different social contexts or showing interest in peers.
Social Communication Differences:
- Limited eye contact, facial expressions, and nonverbal communication like gestures.
- Delayed language development, repetitive speech patterns, and difficulty with abstract language.
Restrictive and Repetitive Behaviors:
- Repetitive motor movements (e.g., hand-flapping or lining up items) and repetitive speech (e.g., echolalia).
- Strong passions and interests.
- Preference for routines and sameness, rigid thinking patterns, and difficulty with transitions or small changes.
Sensory Differences:
- Over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to certain stimuli, such as loud noises or busy environments.

Autistic individuals often create strategies to navigate social interactions, such as mimicking others' behavior

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Diagnosis of Autism

Diagnosing autism can be challenging due to the lack of specific medical tests. Instead, autism is diagnosed by observing behavior and development, often using assessments like the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), which evaluates communication, social interaction, and play or imaginative use of materials.

Autism can sometimes be detected as early as 18 months, with more reliable diagnoses occurring around age 3.
Some individuals may not be diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood due to unawareness of autism signs, missed information, and social stigma.

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Possible Causes

Autism is a complex condition with various risk factors, including environmental, biological, and genetic factors. While the exact causes remain unclear, the following factors may increase the risk of autism:

Complications at birth.
Having close family members or siblings with autism.
Being born to older parents.
Certain genetic or chromosomal conditions, such as fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, Rett syndrome, or Down syndrome.

It’s important to note that these factors do not guarantee the development of autism, and many individuals with autism may not have any known risk factors.

Navigating Autism

Autistic individuals may use various strategies to interact with others and cope with social demands. These strategies can include mimicking behaviors, using learned scripts for social interactions, and creating structured routines.

By understanding autism’s complexities and supporting autistic individuals with tailored approaches, we can foster a more inclusive and empathetic society.