Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism involves a wide range of symptoms and severities which means that every Autistic person will present differently. 

Signs of Autism in children usually appear at 1-2 years of age.

Symptoms in children can include:

• Limited eye contact

• Not responding to their name

• Not smiling back at familiar people

• Not being interested to play with other children

• Not speaking, delayed speech or losing language skills that they used to have

• Repeating words or phrases but not understanding how to use them in conversation

• Not consistently using gestures such as waving, clapping, nodding and shaking their head

• Rarely pointing to or holding up objects to show you

• Not understanding simple, one-step instructions, for e.g. “Give me the ball”

• Difficulty learning

• Repetitive body movements, for e.g. flapping their hands, walking on their tiptoes

• Unusual interactions with objects, for e.g. lining up toys

• Intense or special interests with certain objects, for e.g. playing mostly with cars

• Self-harming behaviours, for e.g. head-banging

• Sensitivity to what they see, hear, smell, touch, or taste, for e.g. not liking loud noises, enjoying the feel of certain textures

• Preferring routines and getting easily upset by change

Whilst it’s a developmental condition, it’s not unusual for an Autistic person to reach adulthood without a diagnosis. This can be because some children can hide their Autistic traits.  

Symptoms in adults can include:

• Speaking in a very honest and direct manner, for e.g. when being asked if they like your cooking, they say “no, it’s bad”

• Limited interest in small talk

• Misunderstanding words, interpreting them literally or not understanding it at all

• Difficulty understanding sarcasm

• Difficulty understanding gestures, facial expressions, and social cues

• Difficulty making and keeping friendships

• Difficulty paying attention

• Feeling socially isolated and different

• Not feeling like you fit in

Research suggests that Autism is primarily linked to genetics. Therefore, a child is more likely to be diagnosed with Autism if someone in their family is Autistic.

Autism can be diagnosed either by a:

• Paediatrician,

• Psychiatrist,

• Psychologist,

Who will do tests, observations, and interviews on the person to make a diagnosis. It’s recommended that this professional has specialised training and experience in working with people with Autism.

To meet the criteria for Autism, health professionals need to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5).

As per the DSM-5, for someone to be diagnosed with Autism they must have:

1. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts.

2. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities.

3. Symptoms must be present from early childhood.

4. Symptoms must cause significant impairment in everyday functioning.

An Autism diagnosis will also include an evaluation of how much support that person might need at that moment in time:

Level 1: Needs support

Level 2: Needs significant support

Level 3: Needs very significant support

While there is no cure for Autism, early diagnosis and specifically tailored treatment are important to improve quality of life.

Services available to help include:

Psychology: A Psychologist can help to develop emotion regulation skills.

Positive Behaviour Support: A Behaviour Support Practitioner can help to understand behaviours of concern, provide strategies, and build skills.

Occupational Therapy: An Occupational Therapist can support independence and participation in daily life.

Speech Pathology: A Speech Pathologist will focus on developing communication skills.

1. Autism is NOT caused by vaccines: There is no reliable research to suggest a link between Autism and vaccines.

2. Autism affects males and females: Autism is more commonly diagnosed in males, with many females not being recognised and only getting diagnosed later in life.

3. People with Autism have special talents: Many Autistic people have a very strong interest in a specific topic or activity, making them experts in their chosen area.  

4. 1.1% (290,900) of Australia’s population are diagnosed with Autism with 69% being male.

Aspect Autism

https://www.aspect.org.au/uploads/documents/Fact%20Sheets/What_is_autism_fact_sheet_March_2024.pdf

https://www.aspect.org.au/uploads/documents/Fact%20Sheets/Autism_myths_fact_sheet_March_2024.pdf

Australian Bureau of Statistics

https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/autism-australia-2022#:~:text=of%20Findings%2C%202022-,Key%20statistics,years%20and%20over%20(0.3%25)

Better Health Victoria

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/autism-spectrum-disorder-asd

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5).

Health Direct

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/autism

Mayo Clinic

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928

Raising Children

https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/learning-about-autism/assessment-diagnosis/dsm-5-autism-diagnosis

https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/learning-about-autism/assessment-diagnosis/early-signs-of-asd