Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex disorder with no known cause or cure. No medical test exists to rule out ASD, which is diagnosed based on observation of behavior. While ASD is not curable, it is treatable. Parents who have a child who seems to exhibit signs or ASD or who has been diagnosed with ASD should make every effort to educate themselves about the disorder.
With increased media focus on ASD, parents are frequently exposed to information about the incidence and prevalence of autism, evaluations, diagnosis, treatments, and interventions. The increased media attention on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can, quite understandably, make parents anxious about whether their child may have ASD.
There is no consensus in the medical community regarding whether the increased number of autism diagnoses represents a true rise in prevalence of the disorder. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 17 percent of children under age 18 are affected by a behavioral, developmental, or learning disability, and that the incidence rate for ASDs is as high as 1 in 150 children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) argues that the reason ASDs seem more common now than once thought is related to a number of factors: broader diagnosis criteria, increased public and professional awareness of symptoms, and, perhaps, a “true rise in prevalence.”
For parents, this information means that there may or may not be a true increase in the number of children affected by ASD, but still may leave parents worrying if their child is at risk for ASD. As with nearly any other aspect of parenting, knowledge is power: the more parents learn about ASD, the more they can accurately assess whether they need to be worried that their child is affected.
Since parents and caregivers are usually the first to notice that something seems “off” with a child’s development, and are the ones who best know a child, trusting one’s instincts is a key first step to knowing how much to be concerned about ASD.
Children who are not meeting standard developmental milestones in cognitive, emotional, and physical development may be exhibiting delays related to ASD. While development occurs on a continuum, if parents are concerned that their child seems, for instance, unwilling to engage in physical contact, avoids eye contact, has delayed speech, or is disinterested in social interaction (such as playing “peek a boo” or smiling and waving), they may have cause to worry about their child’s development.
Rather than assuming the worst, parents who are concerned about their child’s development should seek the advice of their pediatrician, who can refer the child for further testing, if necessary. Autism is not caused by parenting styles or strategies; there may be, however, a genetic and / or environmental component related to the development of autism. Early treatment of and interventions for autism have been proven to be very successful. Your child’s pediatrician should be able to provide answers, advice, guidance, and referrals if his or her assessment indicates that further evaluation and treatment is necessary.