What are autism spectrum disorders?

There is new information to know about autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A new study out this week estimates that one in every 91 children in the U.S. ages 3 to 17 has an ASD. That report increases the current estimate of autism occurring in 1 in 150 children. The odds of having ASD are four times as large for boys than girls. The report, “Prevalence of Parent-Reported Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder among Children in the US,” was published this week in Pediatrics, and conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services National Survey of Children’s Health, using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

My interest and concern about childhood autism began years ago. The general belief in those days was that a “Refrigerator Mother” brought on the condition. I’m still haunted at the injustice done to those women who were some of the most loving moms I’ve known–so guilt-ridden believing that horrific notion. So let me be very clear: Asperger’s syndrome and Autism are neurological conditions–not psychological or behavioral issues–and neither of them is caused by “bad parenting.”

We’ve come a long way in helping Autistic children from when I first taught. We’re now using research-based instruction. We’re more data-collection driven and we’re far better at recognizing better spectrum identification. We also recognize that the earlier the identification, the better our success in addressing our children’s needs.

That’s why I included Autism Spectrum Disorder as one of the 101 modern-day parenting issues in The Big Book of Parenting Solutions: 101 Answers to Your Everyday Challenges and Wildest Worries (pages 477-487). If you have a copy you’ll find signs of Autism spectrum disorder, best new research, four factors to know if the child’s behavior is just “quirky or too far out and should be checked, tips to know if your child should be in a special education setting, what to expect by age and stage, as well as the three steps with best and proven solutions (early intervention, rapid response, and new habits to help your child learn to boost their success in life). I want you to know those signs because hands down, all studies show early intervention is essential.

Simply broken down, ASD includes a range of neurological and developmental impairments that affect how individuals interact socially, communicate verbally and nonverbally, think, learn, move, and play. An estimated 1 in 150 children falls somewhere within the autism spectrum. In most cases, the cause is unknown, though sometimes there is a strong genetic component. Continued biological and environmental research is needed to understand what triggers most autism.

From The Smart Parent's Guide: Getting Your Kids Through Checkups, Illnesses, and Accidents by Jennifer Trachtenberg.

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Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. People with ASDs handle information in their brain differently than other people.

ASDs are “spectrum disorders." That means ASDs affect each person in different ways, and can range from very mild to severe. People with ASDs share some similar symptoms, such as problems with social interaction. But there are differences in when the symptoms start, how severe they are, and the exact nature of the symptoms. 

There are three types of ASDs:  Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified. 

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