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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. These challenges can adversely affect all aspects of life, or one aspect of life greatly, such as the ability to effectively communicate wants and needs (vocal or non-vocal), interacting with others, participating in the community, completing self-care and daily living activities, and other forms of learning. Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that the learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of Autistic people can range significantly, and similarly, the amount of help needed in daily life also varies from fully independent to support-dependent. Each person with autism has unique strengths and challenges, just like all humans. A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. These conditions are now all called autism spectrum disorder.

Autistic people often have social, emotional, and/or communication deficits. Many Autistic people also have different ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to things. Signs of ASD begin during early childhood and typically last throughout a person’s life. To read more about recognizing autism, check out this resource by the National Autism Association: Signs of Autism

One out of every 44 children in the United States is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) each year, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. This figure has almost tripled over the last two decades as the medical and scientific worlds have become more aware of and learned more about the condition. Autism affects all ethnic and socioeconomic groups, but minority groups tend to be diagnosed later and less often. Autism can reliably be diagnosed as early as age two, and boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.

It is important to remember that ASD is not a condition that has nor requires a “cure.” Instead, therapies and intervention services can greatly increase a person’s ability to live the life they want to lead by providing the evidence-based approach to learn new skills, communicate effectively with others, and care for themselves, all of which improve overall quality of life and outcomes in adulthood. Thousands of research studies over the past half-century point to Behavior and Communication approaches as the most effective therapies for reducing or improving the symptoms of ASD when they interfere with quality of life. Such approaches include: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA Therapy) Occupational Therapy Speech-Language Therapy Social Skills Training Some Behavioral Healthcare providers offer several of the above and utilize an interdisciplinary approach to providing services for ASD.