May Institute

Autism Spectrum Disorders / Overview

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a family of developmental disabilities that includes autism and Asperger’s disorder. They are neurological disorders that affect the development of the brain, causing difficulty with behavior, communication, learning, and social interaction.

As more and more children in the United States are diagnosed with autism and related disorders, more and more parents – concerned about their son or daughter’s development – wonder if their child may have an ASD.

What are the signs and symptoms of autism and Asperger’s? What are the other types of ASDs? How are they diagnosed? What are the most effective treatments? Where can families go for help? At first, there seem to be more questions than answers.

Families beginning the long and challenging journey into the unfamiliar world of autism and related disabilities need expert clinical guidance, effective treatment programs, and caring, compassionate support. For more than 55 years, May Institute’s highly trained professionals have been providing this crucial assistance to families like yours, helping them navigate the obstacles – and celebrate the successes – of their extraordinary journeys.

You have come to the right place to find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about autism and other developmental disorders:

What are autism spectrum disorders?
Autism spectrum disorder, (ASDs), also known as pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), are a family of developmental disabilities that includes autism (autistic disorder), Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), Rett’s disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). ASDs are neurological disabilities that affect the development of the brain, causing difficulty with behavior, communication, learning, and social interaction.

How prevalent are ASDs?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2009), about one in 110 children in the United States has an ASD. These disorders are more common than cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDs. Autism in particular is on the rise, and is now the second most common development disability after mental retardation. It is four times more common in boys than in girls.

What are the symptoms of ASD?
ASD is suspected when a child’s development departs from the typical patterns. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), possible indicators of autism include:

  • no babbling, pointing, or meaningful gestures by 1 year of age;
  • no one-word communications by 16 months;
  • no two-word phrases by 2 years;
  • loss of language or social skills;
  • poor eye contact;
  • inability to play appropriately with toys;
  • unusual attachment to one particular toy or object;
  • no smiling; and
  • apparent lack of response to sounds or voices and name being called.

Children with ASD have a difficult time with the normal give-and-take of human relations. They can’t interpret subtle social communication clues such as body language, gestures, facial expressions, and nuances in tone of voice. Likewise, their body language and tone of voice may not reflect what they are thinking or feeling. Other difficulties that may accompany ASD include repetitive behaviors, sensory problems, and seizures.

How are ASDs diagnosed?
Each ASD has specific diagnostic criteria described by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in its Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). Autism is diagnosed when a child exhibits at least six of 12 symptoms in the following areas: 1) social interaction, 2) communication, and 3) repetitive/ stereotyped patterns of behavior and interest.

What is the difference between autism and Asperger’s disorder?
Unlike children with autism, children with Asperger’s disorder demonstrate no clinically significant delays in language, cognition, of self-help skills. Asperger’s disorder is usually diagnosed when the child is between the ages of 5 and 11, whereas autism is usually diagnosed much earlier, often before age 3, and sometimes as early as 18 months. In most cases, children with autism are also diagnosed with mental retardation in the moderate range, while children with Asperger’s disorder have average to above average intelligence.

What is the best treatment for ASDs?
According to the NIMH, evidence indicates that intensive early intervention in optimal educational settings for at least two years during the preschool years results in improved outcomes in most young children with ASD. Unfortunately, it is estimated that only half of the children with ASD are diagnosed before they enter kindergarten.

The earlier services can be obtained to address the symptoms and behaviors related to ASDs, the better the prognosis. With consistent and targeted services, many children diagnosed with ASD can go on to become functional members of society and lead independent and semi-independent lives.

A mainstay of an effective intervention program is applied behavior analysis, or ABA. ABA is a methodology, or framework, that applies scientific interventions to address behavioral needs.