The Symptoms and Management of Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is used to refer to all five types of neurodevelopmental disorders that encompass autism. Autism is a fairly common diagnosis, with 1 in every 59 children being diagnosed with ASD. While we still do not have a cure for this disorder, we have been able to detect and diagnose autism earlier and have many ways to help manage the disorder.
Symptoms of ASD
Symptoms of autism are usually first noticed between 12 and 24 months of age, but symptoms may also come about either before or after this window. There are two categories in how symptoms are displayed: trouble with communication and social interaction, and repetitive behavior patterns.
Communicative problems are expressed as:
- Difficulty expressing emotions
- Trouble maintaining a conversation or eye contact
- General lack of understanding social cues
- Issues with forming and maintaining relationships
Behavioral problems expressed as:
- Repetitive patterns in speech or movement
- Following a strict schedule and difficulty adapting to change
- An increase or decrease in sensitivity to a specific stimulus
Managing ASD
While we still have no cure for autism, there are many therapies and resources to manage this disorder and help the person affected to develop skills to be successful in life.
Management includes:
- Behavioral therapy
- Play therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Physical therapy
There are also resources such as weighted blankets, ear plugs, vitamins, special diet, and medications that are options to help someone affected by ASD. There is no one-size-fits-all way to manage this disorder, and it’s important that you discuss management strategies with an ASD specialist. With research always continuing and as we gain more and more information on ASD, we can continue to effectively manage and hopefully one day cure this disorder.
Contact South Coast Medical if You’re Feeling Sick
We want to make sure your health is optimized at all times. We also want to be mindful that COVID-19 still has a presence here in Southern California and make sure that our patients stay healthy and safe.
If you are not feeling well and would like to get the Sofia 2 Rapid COVID-19 test, please call us at (949) 360-1069 to schedule an appointment.
If you would like to set up an in-person or telemedicine visit, our hours of operation are:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority. We are located in Aliso Viejo, California, and we offer a wide range of services such as urgent and primary care, sports medicine, and x-rays. If you need help with any of these services, please contact us at (949) 389- 8968. We appreciate the trust our patients have in us and look forward to being of service to you.
