Top support to help families navigate the many stages of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis from early screening and detection to ways to manage a new diagnosis. Learn when to seek out professional advice and what happens following a diagnosis to include supportive personal accounts of the autism journey.
Girls with autism are often misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and lack the essential support they need according to recent studies. Research by Brown University indicates that autism and Asperger’s syndrome are more common than previously thought and girls are more likely to be diagnosed 1.5 years later than boys. One of the reasons for this is the […]
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What is Pathological Demand Avoidance? Pathological Demand Avoidance is a behavior profile seen in people with autism. A person with this trait refuses to follow demands that can be considered part of daily life such as going to school, eating dinner, or going to bed. This uncooperativeness is said to be based on anxiety and […]
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What Is Oppositional Defiant Disorder? Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a type of behavior disorder mostly seen in children. Children with ODD have consistent behavior patterns which include being argumentative and defiant towards parents and other figures of authority. According to documentation from the DSM-5, oppositional defiant disorder is “a pattern of angry/irritable mood, argumentative/defiant […]
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We entered through the glass doors and were swept along with the crowd up escalators, down long hallways lined with multicolored fluorescent light tubes hung as art. People walked in pairs, groups of three, parents with their teens, groups of teens. We walked down a tunnel lined with pink and yellow glass through which we […]
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What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a broad term used to describe a grouping of neurodevelopmental disorders. It can often affect a person’s way of interacting with others. People with autism often experience the world differently than their neurotypical peers. While the term autism covers a broad spectrum of symptoms, it is typically […]
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The symptoms of autism spectrum disorders can mimic a variety of other conditions, making it crucial to receive an accurate diagnosis and may lead to autism misdiagnosed. Early intervention is key for autism symptoms, so being properly evaluated and diagnosed will give children access to the best therapies for their special needs. How often is […]
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Has your talkative, engaged, and very energetic child suddenly become quiet and uninterested? Does your child exhibit new, unusual habits? Have you noticed speech regression? If you answered yes, then he/she may have what’s called regressive autism. Based on data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 68 children […]
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Your 2-year-old son has tantrums all the time. Just moving his favorite chair can trigger a meltdown. He grunts and points when he wants something. He rarely looks you in the eye and often doesn’t respond to his name. Family and friends are reassuring. “Kids develop at different paces.” “He’s just quiet.” “My co-worker’s child […]
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Early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be detected in babies, infants and toddlers, yet many children with autism do not receive a diagnosis until the ages of two or three. It’s not uncommon for babies to go undiagnosed. Signs of autism in infants can go undetected until later on in life. Quick Navigation […]
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What makes severe autism so challenging? Individuals diagnosed with Level 3 autism need more support than their peers. Their symptoms are more pronounced and affect daily functioning to a great extent. Challenges include social difficulties, trouble with verbal and nonverbal communication, and rigid behavior. Treatments for severe autism are available and are most effective when […]
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Coming to terms with an autism diagnosis on a purely parental level can be indescribable. There is an entire spectrum of emotions that range from inconsolable sadness to incomparable relief when help has finally been found. It is a uniquely personal and sometimes misunderstood human process of emotions. I am told by various individuals that […]
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Question: Syed asks, “My son is 2 1/2 and does not talk yet. He has no words, only babbling. He has also signs of autism like hand-flapping, walking on his tip-toes, and other forms of stimming. He is registered at our local special needs office where we live. We are very worried about him and […]
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To be completely honest, I thought I was well educated on special education. I mean after all, I have worked with several different students with a wide range of learning disabilities, physical disabilities, etc. However, reality didn’t set in until I had my own child. Let’s face it – there is a huge difference between […]
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