Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by differences in social interaction and communication as well as the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interest or activities.
Core characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) include:
Differences in social interaction and communication
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities.
These characteristics typically appear early on in development (18 to 24 months), often before children enter grade school, but may not become fully noticeable until social demands increase (24 months to 6 years). See below for additional signs and characteristics.
Social interaction and communication
Differences in interacting with other people and making or maintaining relationships
Differences with back-and-forth conversation
Differences using eye contact, gestures, facial expressions, and body language
Differences reading social cues
Limited meaningful or functional communication
Restricted, repetitive behaviors
Differences in speech patterns (ex: saying the same things over and over in exactly the same way)
Repeating behaviors like hand-flapping, rocking, jumping, or twirling
Insistence on specific routines/strong resistance to minor changes
Sensitivity to light, touch, and sound
Strong interests in certain areas or objects
Unusual interest in looking closely at objects, touching, smelling, or tasting objects
In very young children, the first characteristic of autism may include:
Limited demonstration of emotions, eye contact, or gestures like waving or pointing
No or inconsistent response to name
Limited interest in sharing or playing with others
Autistic characteristics or traits must be present in early childhood. These traits may not become fully noticeable or impact daily life until social demands increase later in life. Therefore, even though ASD may be identified as early as 18 to 24 months of age, a person may receive a diagnosis at any age.
Autism is a lifelong diagnosis. It does not go away or develop over time. Therefore, a person is never too old to receive a diagnosis, but the traits must have been observed in early childhood. Relying on parent/ guardian report or childhood memories could help someone identify if they are autistic.
People on the spectrum may experience a range of abilities and characteristics. Some people may have very noticeable characteristics, others may not. Some people may require supports and accommodations and others may not. In order to qualify for a clinical diagnosis, characteristics must significantly impact daily life and functioning.
Many people with autism may also experience co-occurring conditions, such as ADHD, anxiety, depression or sleep disorders. These factors, as well as age, cognitive ability, adaptive skills, communication abilities and sensory support needs may impact the level of support needed and the types of services a person may choose to access.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has no single known cause. We have learned that ASD involves environmental and/or genetic factors that result in biological and/or neurological differences in the brains of people with ASD. ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Children who have a sibling with ASD are more likely to have ASD. ASD is more than 4 times more common among boys than girls.
Psychological influences, such as parenting, do not cause ASD. Currently no medical tests diagnose or reveal the cause of ASD. Some people have concerns that ASD might be linked to the vaccines children receive, but studies have shown that there is no link between receiving vaccines and developing ASD. Visit CDC: Autism and Vaccines and MN Department of Health: COVID-19 Vaccines for more information.
Research shows that certain early intervention treatment strategies can improve a child’s development and manage interfering behaviors. The earlier treatment and intervention begins, the more effective the outcomes. That’s why it’s important to identify signs and symptoms early.
The Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) is a Minnesota Health Care Program for children, youth and young adults up to age 21 with autism or related conditions. The benefit provides behavioral and developmental intervention services to manage challenging behaviors and teach functional social and communication skills. Services promote a person’s independence and participation in home, school and community life. Contact a Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation (CMDE) provider to determine eligibility and medical necessity for EIDBI services. Search the Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) Provider Directory by selecting “Autism-EIDBI” and then “CMDE” as the sub-type.
Boys are four times more common to be diagnosed with autism than girls. Several factors may cause girls to be misdiagnosed or undiagnosed until much later in life, missing or delaying opportunities for early intervention services and supports. This can lead to girls internalizing their symptoms, which often leads to more anxiety or mental health concerns.
Autism presents itself differently in each person. Common misconceptions or stereotypes may lead girls to go undiagnosed. Examples include:
Stereotypes about typical male and female behaviors. For example, people may think that girls are naturally quieter or prefer to spend time alone, compared to boys demonstrating these behaviors.
The misconception that communication and social differences must be significant in order to meet the diagnostic criteria.
Anxiety, depression, personality disorders and other mental health conditions can all share characteristics with autism, which may cause a professional to misdiagnose it.
Signs of autism for girls:
May rely on others (usually other girls) to guide them and speak for them throughout the day. May find it difficult to join conversations, initiate or respond quickly to social situations.
May have "passionate" and limited interests that are very specific and restricted. For example, while many girls may be fans of a particular TV show, a girl with autism may collect information and talk about the characters, locations, props, or actors, but know little or nothing about the plot or storyline of the show.
May have a flat affect or be overly expressive. May speak with a high pitch voice or unusual intonation.
Conversations may be restricted to her topics of interest. She may share her opinions and interests, but have no interest in hearing another person's response. This may interfere with her ability to join groups or make friends.
Recommendations
Listen to what your daughter is going through. Also, look for subtle clues in her body language and behavior.
Therapists can help girls with co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Girls with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, or who have experienced trauma, may need specialists on their team. Therapists may help them build resiliency, improve self-esteem and develop effective coping strategies.
Find a support group of like-minded people who are experiencing similar things.
Do your research and speak to your doctor, therapist, counselor, or another health professional. Trust your intuition. Visit Healthcare and wellness to connect to health care services.
