Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

What are autism spectrum Importance of Early Diagnosis disorders? Because autism is a genetic disorder, there is Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a no single treatment or medication that can group of “cure” it. There is no blood testing that will developmental diagnose an ASD. disabilities caused Autism appears to have its roots in very by a problem with early brain development. It is important to the brain. learn the signs and act early. The earlier you Scientists do not get help, the better for your child. know yet exactly what causes this problem. ASD can Early Signs of Autism impact a person’s Spectrum Disorders functioning at different levels, from very mild to severely. Social Differences There is usually nothing about how a child with autism looks that sets them apart from ▪ Resists snuggling when picked up; other children, but they may communicate, stiffens back instead interact, behave, and learn in ways that are ▪ Makes little or no eye contact different from most children. ▪ Shows no or less expression in response to parent’s smile or other It is estimated that 1 in 59 children have facial expressions been identified with an autism spectrum ▪ No or less pointing to objects or events disorder (ASD). Boys are five times more to get parents to look at them likely to be affected than girls. ASD occurs in ▪ Less likely to bring objects to show to all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic parents just to share his interest groups. Autism affects each individual in a ▪ Less likely to show appropriate facial different way – with varying degrees of expressions severity – this is a “spectrum disorder.” ▪ Difficulty in recognizing what others might be thinking or feeling by looking Causes of Autism at their facial expressions ▪ Less likely to show concern (empathy) There may be many different factors that for others make a child more likely to have an ASD, including environmental, biologic and genetic factors. There is no known cultural Communication Differences or spiritual cause of ASD. ▪ Says no single words by 15 months or two-word phrases by 24 months AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASD)

▪ Responds to sounds (like a car horn or ASD may be seen in children with other a cat’s meow) but less likely to respond types of developmental or behavioral to name being called problems or, to a lesser extent, in children ▪ May refer to self as “you” and others as with typical development. Also, not all of “I” (pronoun reversal) the symptoms are seen in all children. ▪ Shows no or less interest in Some children may only display a few of communicating the symptoms. This is what makes the ▪ Less likely to start or continue a process of diagnosing ASD difficult. But conversation here are some examples that may help ▪ Less likely to use toys or other objects distinguish a child with an ASD from other to represent people or real life in children. pretend play At 12 Months ▪ May have a good rote memory, especially for numbers, songs, TV ▪ A child with typical development will jingles, or a specific topic turn his head when he hears his name. ▪ Was saying two to three words, now ▪ A child with an ASD might not turn to none: usually between the ages of 15 look, even after his name is repeated and 24 months in some children several times, but will respond to other (regression) sounds. At 18 Months Behavioral Differences ▪ A child with delayed speech skills will ▪ May rock, spin, sway, twirl fingers, or point, gesture, or use facial expressions flap hands to make up for her lack of talking. ▪ Likes routines, order, and rituals ▪ A child with an ASD might make no ▪ May be obsessed with a few activities, attempt to compensate for delayed doing them repeatedly during the day speech or might limit speech to ▪ More likely to play with parts of toys parroting what is heard on TV or what instead of the whole toy (for example, she just heard. spinning wheels of a toy truck) At 24 Months ▪ May not cry if in pain ▪ May not have a sense of danger or ▪ A child without an ASD brings a picture seem to have any fear to show his mother and shares his joy ▪ May be very sensitive or not sensitive from it with her. at all to smells, sounds, lights, textures, ▪ A child with an ASD might bring her a and touch bottle of bubbles to open but doesn’t ▪ May have unusual or intense but look at his mom’s face when he does or narrow interests share in the pleasure of playing ▪ Prefers to play alone together.

What an ASD Might Look Like Next Steps It isn’t always easy for parents to know if a A medical diagnosis and school evaluation child has an ASD. Some of the symptoms of may lead to recommendations for a broad range of interventions; for example, 2 AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASD)

referrals to medical specialists, Where to Get Information neurologists, private rehabilitation Autism Society of Minnesota services, county social services, financial (https://www.ausm.org/) support, family support and family guidance 651-647-1083 or therapy. Autism Speaks If you have questions or concerns about (http://www.autismspeaks.org/) your child: 1-888-288-4762

▪ Talk to your child’s doctor Family Voices of Minnesota ▪ Share your concern (http://www.familyvoicesofminnesota.org/) ▪ Call the Help-Me-Grow Program at 1-866-334-8444 1-866-693-4769 Minnesota Health Care Programs (www.dhs.state.mn.us/healthcare) 1-800-657-3739; 1-800-657-3672 Medical Diagnosis and School Evaluation MinnesotaHelp.info (http://www.minnesotahelp.info/public/) A medical diagnosis will more specifically Disability Linkage Line 1-866-838-9000 determine a child’s disabilities and his/her need for and access to services, as well as PACER’s Family to Family Information Center ensure their primary and other health care (http://www.pacer.org/health/) needs are addressed. A medical evaluation 1-800-537-2237 or 952-838-9000

may be necessary to receive services through Somali American Autism Foundation medical insurance or to access other (http://www.saafmn.org/) funding resources such as, but not limited 612-216-3677 to: Medical Assistance (MA/TEFRA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or CDC Autism Spectrum Disorders (http:/www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html) county case management. A medical diagnosis is most often assigned by a American Academy of Pediatrics psychologist or physician who specializes (http://www.healthychildren.org) in children with developmental differences. Minnesota Autism Resources Portal (https:/mn.gov/autism/) A school evaluation can be done at any age and is required to determine eligibility CYSHN Navigator for school district special education and (http://www.kidsnavigator.minnesotahelp.info/)

school-related services. The evaluation is Children & Youth with Special Health Needs completed by a team of professionals and P.O. Box 64882 helps to identify a child’s strengths, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882 learning style, and areas of need. If a child 651-201-3650 meets criteria for school district services, www.health.state.mn.us/cyshn

the educational team will meet with 12/07/2017 parents to develop an educational plan for To obtain this information in a different format, call: the child. Contact the Help-Me-Grow 651-201-3650 Program for early childhood screening information. Printed on recycled paper. 3