Autism spectrum

Autism, formally called autism spectrum disorder and autism spectrum condition, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction, and repetitive or restricted patterns of... Wikipedia

  • Symptoms:  Difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and the presence of repetitive behavior or restricted interests
  • Complications:  Social isolation, educational and employment problems, anxiety, stress, bullying, depression, self-harm
  • Usual onset:  Early childhood
  • Duration:  Lifelong
  • Causes:  Multifactorial, with many uncertain factors
  • Risk factors:  Family history, certain genetic conditions, having older parents, certain prescribed drugs, perinatal and neonatal health issues
  • Diagnostic method:  Based on combination of clinical observation of behavior and development and comprehensive diagnostic testing completed by a team of qualified professionals (including clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, pediatricians, and speech-language pathologists)
  • Differential diagnosis:  Intellectual disability, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, Rett syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizoid personality disorder, selective mutism, schizophrenia, obsessive–compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, Einstein syndrome, PTSD, learning disorders (mainly speech disorders), social anxiety
  • Management:  Applied behavior analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, psychotropic medication, speech–language pathology
  • Data source:  DuckDuckGo