Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects many individuals. Children at the low-functioning end of the spectrum may have difficulty learning to talk, building their vocabulary, or engaging in conversations with peers. Children on the high-functioning spectrum may speak more than their peers and have impressive speech. However, they may also seem eccentric during conversations. Difficulties in social and communication skills characterize autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autistic people may misunderstand words, misinterpret their emotions, and misrepresent others' behavior. They may also have problems understanding social cues and establishing friendships. Some people may experience symptoms of autism but may not be aware of them.
To diagnose autism, a team of professionals, including a medical doctor, developmental psychologist, and neurologist, will conduct various tests. For example, an audiologist will test hearing and speech, and a speech pathologist will assess communication and social skills. They may also speak with others to learn how a person with autism communicates in different settings. An autistic person has significant difficulties interacting with others, including those in their social circle. They may have trouble responding to social cues, display restricted behavioral patterns, and experience sensory overload. They may also face workplace discrimination and difficulties in communication. In some instances, they may even have post-traumatic stress disorder.
Observation by a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals is necessary to diagnose autism. Early diagnosis can lead to effective therapy and help. Many children can start showing autism as early as two years of age. A person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may have various symptoms. A common symptom is a hypersensitivity to pain, which can cause extreme discomfort. Another common symptom is difficulty with daily routines. This may include being uncomfortable when things are moved, or their belongings are disturbed. Other symptoms of an ASD person include strong emotions, such as anger, or a heightened sensitivity to sounds or textures.
An Autism spectrum disorder diagnosis will help a person get a more accurate picture of their challenges and may open up more options for services and benefits. Getting a diagnosis can also help to rule out other conditions that may be causing these symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. One of the most common forms of treatment for autism is psychotherapy. This therapy aims to help a person learn fundamental communication, social interaction, and self-care skills. Typically, this therapy is used in young children but can also be effective in adolescents and early adults. Other types of treatment include speech therapy and occupational therapy. Speech therapy helps people with autism learn basic verbal skills and increase their ability to express their feelings and communicate.
Although the presence of a parent or family member with an autistic child increases the likelihood of an autism diagnosis, many factors may influence an autistic person's social network. Proximity may have the most significant impact on the possibility of being diagnosed with autism. The proximity effect is most relevant when autism is diagnosed early before the child reaches the developmental stage that leads to school entry.
Researchers need to understand what factors influence an autistic person's life quality. Using a 65-item survey on social-communication skills, parent reports on sensory processing differences, and other data, researchers can gain a better understanding of the quality of life for autistic people.
Having an autistic person in your social circle can affect your friendships in many ways. First, autistic person is often more socially awkward than their neurotypical peers. Often, this is because the autistic person is more introverted and finds social situations more stressful. This can strain your neurotypical partner, who may feel obligated to help your loved one make friends. In addition, autistic people may be unable to communicate their true feelings with others because they cannot understand the nuances of the neurotypical world. As a result, their communication can be very blunt, despite your efforts to change it. They may also feel neglected or ignored by those in their social circle.
There are several subtypes of autism. Both genetic and environmental factors cause these subtypes. As a result, every child with autism has different strengths and challenges. Some people with autism require much support, while others can live independently with the proper support. Many genetic, environmental, and developmental factors may contribute to the development of autism. Moreover, the autistic individual may have more incredible difficulty empathizing with non-autistic people, leading to feelings of insecurity and apprehension. This may result from previous negative interactions with neurotypical populations, increasing the autistic person's feelings of social anxiety. These feelings may negatively affect their self-perception and negatively impact her friendships.