Autism spectrum disorder: Early symptoms, diagnosis & therapies | Bradley Hospital Search for Resources & Information Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders, which means that they affect how the brain works. Although every child will go through development stages at their own pace, a child who has significant delays or challenges in social communication, has repetitive behaviors, or restricted interests may have ASD. Sub Header Children with ASD may have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. Header Image Media Section Intro Text Signs and Symptoms ASDs affect each child in different degrees. Two children with the same disorder can act very differently and can have very different skills. However, all children with ASDs share difficulties in social interaction, social communication, and repetitive and/or restrictive behaviors. Typical signs and symptoms related to social interaction problems include being less responsive to social or physical interactions, such as making eye contact, hugging, smiling, imitating, or being aware of other’s feelings. Typical signs and symptoms related to social communication problems include losing or not developing speech or another method of communicating, such as pointing or gesturing. For example, a child may not have typical speaking skills for their age, not respond to their name or to parents’ questions, or appear not to understand simple requests. Typical signs and symptoms related to repetitive behaviors or restricted interests include: Plays with toys the same way every time and may focus on parts of toys or objects Gets upset by minor changes such as a change to their routine or location of objects Being very focused on one interest or topic Repeats words or phrases (called echolalia) Flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles Not imitating other’s actions Playing with toys in unusual ways, such as lining them up In addition, a child’s senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste) may be overactive or underactive. A child may: Cover their ears Become stiff when held Remove clothes often Refuse to eat certain foods Smell objects frequently Become either overly quiet or hyperactive in noisy or bright environments Other related characteristics might include: Delayed language skills Delayed movement skills Delayed cognitive or learning skills Seizure disorder Unusual eating and sleeping habits Gastrointestinal issues (i.e., constipation) Evaluation and Diagnosis Most children with an ASD show signs of a disorder in infancy. ASDs are usually diagnosed in children, ages 18 to 24 months, but for some it may not be diagnosed until later when the social demands are greater than their capacities. To make a diagnosis, your child may need a developmental evaluation or a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Also, it is recommended that all children considered to have ASD receive genetic testing. Get Help at Bradley Hospital Body Bradley Hospital clinicians are specially trained to perform evaluations for children and adolescents, and will direct each child to the most appropriate and effective services for their needs. Call our Access Center at 1-855-543-5465 to get help. Block CTA Keep Track of Your Child's Development Body Families are often the first to notice that their child is not reaching developmental milestones and to observe worrisome behaviors. As a parent, it is important to keep track of your child’s development and to note changes or signs of difficulty in these areas. Block CTA Treatment ASDs can be treated by a developmental behavioral pediatrician, a neurologist, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, an advanced practice registered nurse, a psychotherapist, a speech- language pathologist, an occupational therapist, and/or other professionals who specialize in early intervention. If the ASD is affecting the child’s ability to learn, adjustments may need to be made in their education program. Find more information on mental health specialists Treatments for ASDs work to different degrees for different children. Treatment must be tailored to the needs and strengths of your child. Factors to consider when choosing treatments include: your child’s age, level of skills, type of learner (for example, whether they learn better by seeing or hearing things), behaviors, and previous treatments. Many treatments have been developed to address a range of social, language, sensory, and behavioral challenges that children with ASDs may have. These treatments include parent management training and medications for particular behaviors. Read about mental health treatment options Flexible Content Call to Action Block Related Centers and Programs Find treatment for your child at these centers and programs. Quicklinks Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD) Verrecchia Clinic for Children with Autism and Developmental Disabilities Bradley Outpatient Services Outpatient Group Therapy Programs for Kids, Teens and Parents Child & Adolescent Inpatient Program at Bradley Hospital Child & Adolescent Partial Hospital Programs COAST Clinic Co-Occurring Disorders Services Early Childhood Outpatient Program Intensive Program for OCD and Anxiety Disorders Pediatric Anxiety Research Center Children's Residential Treatment Services Bradley REACH Related Blog Posts Header Image Media Token Title Display Supporting Children on the Spectrum During Summer Break Header Image Media Token Title Display Creating a Calming Corner: A Simple Way to Help Kids Feel Better Header Image Media Token Title Display How De-Escalation Helps Children Manage Frustration See all Blog Posts Courses See all Courses Token Title Display The Positive Use of Video Games and Media in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Registration Link Url Learn More and Register About Video games have been considered the new contemporary toys of the Twenty First Century. Horacio Hojman, MD has always been interested in using video games and media narratives as a pivotal step to... Presenters Horacio Hojman, MD Margaret R. Paccione-Dyszlewski, PhD Token Title Display Talking with Children About Medication: From Ethics to Patient Education Registration Link Url Learn More and Register About The increasing use of psychotropic medications in children with emotional and behavioral problems has become a controversial topic over the last several years. Additionally, only a few psychotropic... Presenters Geanina Oana Costea, MD Steven J. Barreto, PhD Margaret R. Paccione-Dyszlewski, PhD Token Title Display Tackling Tics: Advances in the Clinical Management of Tic Disorders Registration Link Url Learn More and Register About This module will provide an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of tic disorders in youth. The contemporary “neurobehavioral model” of tics will be covered, and current best-practice guidelines... Presenters Christine Conelea, PhD Margaret R. Paccione-Dyszlewski, PhD Podcast Episodes See all Podcasts Token Title Display The Motivation Mindset: Meeting Kids Where They Are Description Morgan Lindberg, nurse educator, joins us to discuss what truly drives kids, how to support them in meaningful ways, and why motivation isn’t one-size-fits-all. From understanding different praise... Hosts Guests Morgan Lindberg, RN, MEd Tanuja P. Gandhi, MD Gregory K. Fritz, MD Token Title Display Bridging the Gap: Supporting Pediatric Mental Health in Primary Care Description Ali Manning, MD discusses the importance of supporting pediatric primary care providers with caring for their patient's mental health needs. Hosts Guests Alison Manning, MD Tanuja P. Gandhi, MD Gregory K. Fritz, MD Token Title Display Wandering and Autism: Causes, Risks and Prevention Description Listen to our latest episode of MindCast featuring The Autism Project's Ariana DeAngelis, MEd. Ariana shares her insight on keeping kids with autism safe during the summer. Stream at the link below. Hosts Guests Tanuja P. Gandhi, MD Gregory K. Fritz, MD Typical Co-Existing Diagnoses Related Conditions Content Token Title Display Anxiety Disorders Token Title Display Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Token Title Display Bipolar Disorder Token Title Display Depression Token Title Display Tic Disorders Token Title Display Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Token Title Display Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Token Title Display Learning Disorders Token Title Display Self-Injurious Behaviors Token Title Display Oppositional Defiant Disorder Token Title Display Sensory Integration Disorder (SID) Resources Autism Project of Rhode Island 401-785-2666 www.theautismproject.org Autism Society of America, Rhode Island Chapter 401-595-3241 www.autism-society.org Rhode Island Department of Health 800-942-7434 reCAPTCHA