Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition that is the result of a developmental disorder. ASD is a commonly misunderstood condition, and confusion surrounding this disorder has been perpetuated by widespread misinformation.

A thorough understanding of autism and its symptoms can help shed light on the reality of this condition and eliminate the confusion caused by misinformation. 

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that impairs someone’s ability to communicate and interact with the world around them. Individuals with ASD will typically have highly specific and seemingly obsessive interests, and they’re also prone to exhibiting repetitive behaviors. ASD is a lifelong condition that affects people at varying degrees of severity. 

What is Neurodivergence?

Those with ASD are commonly considered to be neurodivergent. Neurodivergence is a non-medical term that refers to people with brains that process information differently from neurotypical brains. Although this is an oversimplification, it has helped shed a positive light on individuals that think and behave differently from others. Neurodivergent can be used to describe those with ADHD, anxiety, and even disorders like dyslexia.

Read our related article for more information on what it means to be neurodivergent.

Autism Used to Be Considered Different Disorders

Previously, individuals with autism were diagnosed with distinct autism disorders. These disorders were determined by the severity of someone’s symptoms, and they included:

• Aspergers 
• Pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) 
• Autistic disorder
• Childhood disintegrative disorder 

The current model of autism places individuals on a spectrum, and they are all diagnosed with ASD. Individuals with mild ASD symptoms can be highly intelligent, but may have difficulty communicating and picking up on social cues. Those with severe ASD may require routine care and may not be able to live independently. 

Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Individuals with ASD will typically experience a wide range of symptoms. ASD symptoms usually begin during early infancy. Sometimes they can be seen within the first year. The severity and presence of these symptoms are unique to the individual. 

Difficulties With Communication and Social Interaction

Autism impairs someone’s ability to communicate and adjust to social situations. Some of the common signs of ASD in a person can be seen during social interactions, and these signs include:

• Appearing to not hear you when you talk to them
• Preferring engaging in activities alone
• Struggling with maintaining eye contact
• Doesn’t speak or delays speech
• Struggling with starting or maintaining conversation
• Struggling with interpreting nonverbal cues

Even those with mild ASD symptoms can find social interactions to be challenging, so they often appear to be living in their own world. Individuals with severe ASD symptoms can be completely nonverbal or unable to communicate at all. 

Repetitive Behaviors and Limited Interests

Children and adults with ASD will often perform repetitive behaviors that are used to self-stimulate. This is commonly called stimming. They will also gravitate towards specific topics and objects, and these are referred to as limited interests.

Some of the common repetitive behaviors and limited interests include:

• Repetitive movements like rocking, spinning, and hand flapping
• Develops specific routines
• Experiences heightened stress when there is a change in routine
• Fixates on an object or activity intensely 
• Sensitive to lights, sound, and touch
• Has specific food interests

Those with mild ASD symptoms will usually experience fewer behavior disturbances as they age. Individuals with severe ASD symptoms can experience intense behavior patterns that persist throughout their lifetimes. 

How Common is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

According to recent studies, 1 in 36 children in the U.S. have ASD. Certain demographics, like gender, can make someone more likely to have ASD. In fact, boys are four times more likely to have autism than girls are. Although children are more likely to be diagnosed with ASD, some individuals don’t receive a diagnosis until adulthood.

Autism in Adults

It’s harder to diagnose adults with ASD than it is for children. This is especially true for women, because girls usually mask their symptoms better than boys do. Unfortunately, it’s common for signs of autism in girls to be considered quirks rather than symptoms of ASD. 

Signs of autism in adults may also be falsely attributed to mental health disorders. This can prevent adults with ASD from receiving the appropriate treatment that they require. If an adult believes they may have ASD, they should consult with a mental health professional that can provide them with a formal diagnosis.

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Health Disorders

It is common for someone with ASD to suffer from a variety of mental health disorders. Some of the comorbidities of ASD include:

• Anxiety—anxiety disorders like social anxiety are common, and they can cause an extreme fear of new people or social situations, racing thoughts, and rapid heartbeat
• Depression—depression disorders can lead to chronic sadness, loss of interest in favorite activities, and increased irritability
• Bipolar Disorder—bipolar disorder causes alternating states of mania and depression
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)—OCD causes recurring thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors, the repetitive behaviors of ASD can easily be mistaken for OCD 

ASD can often be mistaken for other disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD and ASD share common symptoms, such as difficulty focusing, repetitive behaviors, and social awkwardness. It’s common for someone to be diagnosed with ADHD as a child, and then be re-diagnosed with autism as an adult. 

Read our related article to discover how social anxiety relates to autism spectrum disorder.

Causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder

There are various environmental and genetic factors that can be linked to ASD. These factors directly impact brain development, which can eventually lead to the presence of autism.

Environmental factors like low birth weight and extreme prematurity are known to influence brain development. Specific autism-risk genes can affect neuron activity, which can also impair the development of certain regions in the brain.

Is Autism Spectrum Disorder Hereditary?

Autism is hereditary, and most children with autism inherited an autism-risk genome from their parents. In fact, multiple studies have proven that up to 90% of the risk for autism comes from your genome. Your genome is the DNA that you inherit from your parents, and it is responsible for how your brain and body develops. 

Do Vaccines Cause Autism?

Despite what you may have heard, vaccines do not cause autism. This is a myth that may stem from the diagnosis of autism around the same time that a child receives vaccines. Multiple scientific studies involving millions of children have proven that there is no relation between vaccines and the development of ASD. 

How to Get Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder

The only way to determine if someone has ASD is with a formal diagnosis from a medical professional. A qualified medical professional will perform a series of assessments to identify signs and symptoms of autism. These professional assessments typically include:

• Medical history of the mother’s pregnancy
• Developmental milestones of the child
• Sensory challenges 
• Family medical history
• Cognitive and language assessments 
• Autism-specific assessments

While there can be signs of ASD in children less than a year old, specialists can reliably determine if a child has autism by age 2. Most children, however, receive a diagnosis around age 5.

Self-Diagnosing ASD With Online Information

Unfortunately, the rise in popularity of social media platforms like TikTok has led to widespread misinformation regarding ASD and its symptoms. Although the normalization of neurodivergent individuals is a positive outcome of social media, it has led to misinformed individuals self-diagnosing themselves with autism.

If someone believes they may have autism, it is imperative that they consult a licensed professional. Online information is often incomplete or inaccurate, and it can’t be used to provide a diagnosis.

Read our related article for more information on the dangers of self-diagnosing with online information.

How Autism Spectrum Disorder is Treated

Specific therapies and interventions are used to mitigate the symptoms of ASD. The severity of someone’s ASD symptoms determine which treatment practices are most effective for them. Some of the common therapies and interventions for ASD include:

• Behavioral management therapy
• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Educational or school-based therapies
• Occupational therapy
• Early intervention

Individuals with ASD can also benefit from social skills training or speech-language therapy. The goals of these treatments are to reduce symptoms and teach positive life skills. Specific treatments target the unique needs of the individual, rather than treating ASD as a whole. 

Is ASD Curable?

ASD is a neurological condition that can’t be cured. However, someone with ASD can drastically improve their quality of life with the appropriate treatments. Although it’s best to receive professional help early in life, it’s never too late for someone with ASD to get the help they need.

Treating ASD Symptoms at Inner Balance Counseling

At Inner Balance, we provide therapy treatments and counseling services that can improve the quality of life for individuals with ASD. We use proven techniques and treatments that are personalized to the unique needs of each individual client.

If you or a loved one needs help managing ASD symptoms, consider reaching out to one of our mental health experts today.