About Autism

Identifying autism early can make a world of difference in your child's development. With the proper support and therapies, children with autism can develop the skills they need to thrive at home, in school, and beyond.

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What is autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people learn, act, and interact with others. Children with ASD may have challenges with social interactions, such as making eye contact, communicating verbally and nonverbally, and understanding social cues. They may also have specific, intense interests or engage in repetitive behaviors. In some cases, children with ASD may unintentionally hurt themselves.

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Autism spectrum disorder is an umbrella term that includes a diverse range of signs and symptoms and can affect people differently. Some people with autism may require significant, daily support. However, many people with autism can live independent lives with minimal support.

Top ABA Therapy near you available at Action Behavior Centers

How common is autism?

Autism is relatively common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 31 children in the United States age 8 and younger are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. Autism rates are consistent across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.¹
The number of autism diagnoses has grown over the years. This is partly because people are more aware, doctors have better tools to diagnose, and the definition of autism has expanded. As a result, more children are being identified and getting the support they need!

Diagnostic support

Early signs of autism

Screen for autism

Spotting early signs of autism can help families get the support they need sooner.

Autism can show up in different ways, often becoming noticeable when a child is still very young. Autism spectrum disorder looks different from person to person. According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the guide doctors use to diagnose behavioral health conditions, common signs and behaviors of autism may include:

Social challenges:

Difficulty understanding social cues or nonverbal communication, like facial expressions and gestures
Challenges with forming and maintaining relationships, including making new friends
Limited interest in sharing experiences or emotions with others

Certain communication behaviors:

Delayed speech or language development
Repetitive use of language, such as repeating words or phrases
Difficulty initiating or sustaining conversations with others
Limited use of gestures or facial expressions to communicate

Restricted and repetitive behaviors:

Engaging in repetitive movements or activities like hand-flapping and rocking
Becoming upset by changes in routine
Intense focus on specific topics or objects, often excluding other interests

Sensory sensitivities:

Hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to certain sensory inputs, like loud noises and bright lights
Preference for specific sensory experiences, like certain textures or sounds
Feelings of anxiety in response to change and new environments

Motor coordination challenges:

Difficulty with fine or gross motor skills, like tying shoelaces, writing, or riding a bike

Developmental milestones by age

Screen for autism

Autism might look different depending on your child’s age.

How your child communicates, behaves, learns, and moves says a lot about whether they are meeting appropriate developmental milestones.
‍Developmental milestones: Skills or abilities most children can do by a certain age. They help parents and doctors understand how a child is progressing compared to the majority of children their age.
The following are typical developmental milestones by age:

18 months

Looks to see if a caregiver is nearby, helps with getting dressed, and points at objects.
Uses a few words and follows simple directions, like “Give it to me.”
Imitates chores and engages in basic play, like pushing a toy car.
Walks independently, scribbles, and tries to feed themselves with fingers or a spoon.²

2 years

Notices when others are upset and looks to adults for guidance in new situations.
Uses simple two-word phrases, like “More milk.”
Points to objects in books, waves, and blows kisses.
Holds objects with both hands, runs, kicks a ball, and walks up stairs.³

3 years

Notices and joins other children in play.
Engages in two-way conversations, asks “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” and “why” questions, says their first name, and speaks clearly most of the time.
Draws circles, strings items together, dresses partially, and uses a fork.
Calms down within 10 minutes after separation from a caregiver.⁴

4 years

Engages in pretend play, seeks out playmates, comforts others, and adapts behavior based on the setting.
Forms sentences of four or more words, repeats parts of songs or stories, discusses daily activities, and answers simple questions.
Recognizes colors, predicts story outcomes, and draws a person with three or more body parts.
Catches a ball, serves food with supervision, unbuttons buttons, and holds writing tools properly.⁵

5 years

Follows game rules, takes turns, answers questions about books, and recognizes simple rhymes.
Helps with simple chores like matching socks.
Counts to 10, uses words to talk about time, and writes or recognizes letters.
Buttons clothing.
Hops on one foot.⁶

What causes autism?

There’s a lot of information—and unfortunately, a lot of misinformation—out there about what causes autism. At Action Behavior Centers, we’re committed to being a trusted voice in a noisy world. We help families sort fact from fiction and offer guidance that’s rooted in science.

Autism spectrum disorder doesn’t have one single known cause. However, decades of research suggest that autism likely develops from a combination of factors that affect early brain development. These factors don’t directly cause autism, but they may increase the likelihood that a child is diagnosed.

Genetics plays a significant role, as autism often runs in families. For example, if a child is diagnosed with autism, their younger siblings are more likely to be diagnosed as well.⁷ Environmental factors may also contribute, including advanced parental age, pregnancy complications (such as low birth weight or premature birth), and prenatal exposure to certain medications or toxins.⁸

Scientists are learning more about autism every day. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by what you’ve read or heard, know that you’re not alone. Our clinical team stays current with the latest research so we can give families the accurate, compassionate, and reliable information they deserve.

How is autism diagnosed?

The first signs of ASD typically appear before age 2. There is not currently a blood test, brain scan, or physical examination that can diagnose autism. Instead, a licensed professional, like a pediatrician or child psychologist, can make an accurate diagnosis after observing a child’s behavior during a formal assessment. A timely and correct diagnosis is crucial for helping a child with autism access the resources they need.

Diagnosing ASD involves several steps:

Identification: Parents, caregivers, or doctors may begin to recognize signs of autism in a child’s behavior. Early signs may involve not making eye contact or not speaking.

Screening: Parents or doctors can use screening tools, such as the M-CHAT-R or CAST, to see whether their child should receive a more formal evaluation.

Developmental evaluation: A trained clinician or specialist completes an evaluation using directly administered, play-based tests. One commonly used test, the ADOS-2, is a gold-standard tool that can reliably identify ASD symptoms.

Diagnosis: The child's doctor or psychologist will review all test results and data collected to determine if the child meets the criteria for an ASD diagnosis.