Autism spectrum disorder |
Other names |
- Autism
- Autism spectrum condition
|
 |
Repetitively stacking or lining up objects is associated with autism spectrum disorder. |
Specialty |
Clinical psychology, psychiatry, pediatrics, occupational medicine |
Symptoms |
Impairments in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and the presence of restricted interests and repetitive behavior |
Complications |
Social isolation, educational and employment problems,[1] anxiety,[1] stress,[1] bullying,[1] self-harm |
Onset |
Early childhood |
Duration |
Lifelong |
Causes |
Multi-factorial, with many uncertain factors |
Risk factors |
Family history, certain genetic conditions, having older parents, certain prescribed drugs, perinatal and neonatal health issues |
Diagnostic method |
Based on combination of clinical observation of behavior and development and comprehensive diagnostic testing completed by a team of highly qualified professionals (including, but not limited to Clinical Psychologists, Neuropsychologists, Neurodevelopmental or Developmental Pediatricians, Speech-Language Pathologists) |
Differential diagnosis |
Intellectual disability, anxiety, depression, Rett syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, selective mutism, schizophrenia |
Management |
Speech therapy, Occupational therapy, Behavioral therapy, psychotropic medication |
Frequency |
- 1 in 44 (2.3%) of children in the United States
- 1 in 100 children worldwide
|