Overview

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause social, communication and behavioral challenges for affected children and adults. Autism is known as a spectrum disorder because of the wide range of symptom severity that people can experience.

Screening and diagnosis

A behavioral developmental pediatrician or neuropsychologist in the state of Alaska will use diagnostic tests or interviews and observations to identify with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

A child with an autism spectrum disorder may exhibit some or all of the following:

  • Doesn’t respond to their name by 12 months old
  • Doesn’t point at objects to show interest by 14 months old (such as pointing at an airplane flying overhead)
  • Doesn’t play “pretend” games by 18 months old (such as pretend to feed a doll)
  • Avoids eye contact and wants to be alone
  • Has trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings
  • Has delayed speech and/or language skills
  • Repeats words or phrases over and over
  • Gives unrelated answers to questions
  • Gets upset by minor changes
  • Has obsessive interests
  • Flaps hands, rocks body, or spin in circles
  • Has unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel
  • Has trouble sleeping
  • Parents can learn about developmental milestones here.

Parents can learn about developmental milestones from Thread Alaska.

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