Before all autism-related conditions were grouped at ASD, doctors used to call high-functioning autism Asperger’s syndrome. It was originally named in 1944 by Viennese psychologist Hans Asperger.

Suddenly, a lot of your past experiences and interactions make sense and you’re afforded a sense of clarity. Of course, what constituted ‘convincing evidence’ of the existence of hallucinations in children differed widely among practitioners. Whereas psychoanalytically influenced psychologists inferred hallucination from children’s actions, Rutter and the Maudsley researchers thought that this kind of inference should be eliminated from all research inquiries. This was not because they were averse to the idea of hallucinations in infants and children but rather because such claims would have disrupted the accuracy of epidemiological studies. In general, researchers would follow Kolvin and Rutter in claiming that unless a child described hallucinatory thoughts using speech, she or he could not be assumed to experience hallucinations.

Another option is to obtain an evaluation and diagnosis through your state’s Child Find program. Child Find is a provision under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that requires states to find and evaluate kids with disabilities at no extra cost to families. Another way is through your state’s Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECI). Many specialists have wait lists, so you will want to call and schedule an appointment for a developmental assessment immediately following your referral. All contents of this resource were created for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

SSI benefits and drawbacks for children with disabilities

Read more about Piano Lessons for Autism here.

Exposure to risk factors — for example, harmful genetic variants, infections, and other random events during gestation and early childhood that adversely affect cognitive ability. Cognitive compensation — intelligence and executive functions, such as the capacity to learn, understand others, and adapt to social interactions. He states that if this connection does turn out to be true, there may be ways to control the number of synapses in the brain. This could help those with this gene mutation and other people with autism also. There is a theory that people with autism can have many genes that are linked, six of which attach a molecular tag to proteins in the brain.

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Individuals with ASD may be struggling with sleeping problems, so you can always talk to your doctor if this is a concern. Before going out into public or attend any social gatherings, devise a plan with your child and family members on what rules to follow. For example, use the “tag” system to coordinate who must closely supervise your loved one. Also, consider the “bookends” approach during outdoor activities to ensure that one adult stays on each side of the child.

Differences in Brain Function

Both parents’ income and assets will be considered for deductions if they are married and live with the child. Whether or not the child’s income and resources are sufficient to qualify for a monthly SSI payment is determined after these adjustments have been made. Secondarily, it is for fear that undetected cases of autism will lead to more misconceptions that the disability develops as some people age. Commenting on the study, the director of the National Autistic Society Centre for Autism in the United Kingdom stressed the importance of early detection. This is primarily because the earlier the intervention, the easier it will be for patients, parents, and therapists to compensate for the problematic developments in the brain.

Determining whether or not a person has autism involves a complex, comprehensive evaluation process. For this reason, only a trained individual, who has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the behavioral traits and diagnostic criteria for autism, can issue a diagnosis. Some of it is that the group of autistic adults who are more capable in terms of language and cognitive abilities often has access to fewer community services in adulthood than those with intellectual disability. Also, this group is very vulnerable to depression — nearly half of autistic adults are clinically depressed, and the rate of completed suicide in autistic adults is 8-10 times that of the general population.

Depending on the severity of the diagnosis, those with Autism can absolutely live independent lives. People with mild to moderate cases of Autism can hold long-term, full-time jobs, pay their own bills on time and have fulfilling relationships. Her brother, on the other hand, had symptoms that were far subtler than those of his sister, but he was diagnosed by the first clinician who saw him. For many clinicians, the chance of a girl developing autism was low enough to be unlikely. This can make everyday experiences overwhelming and uncomfortable for them. On the other hand, they may be less sensitive to other types of sensory input such as pain or temperature. While the exact causes of autism are still unknown, research has shown that genetics play a significant role.

Sensory overload occurs when one or more of the body’s senses is overstimulated to a point where a person is unable to cope. It happens when your brain gets more information from your senses than it can process. People who are experiencing sensory overload may feel irritable, anxious, or emotional. To gain insight into the needs of autistic individuals, we should not only listen to their stories, but also strive to create opportunities for them to participate and engage. One way of doing this is by encouraging neurodiverse employees in the workplace, as it can lead to innovative ideas, creative solutions and smoother collaborations among teams. For example, they may find humor confusing or even offensive due to difficulty understanding concepts such as irony and sarcasm. Despite their perceived handicaps on the surface level, autistics can make incredibly valuable contributions to society due to their keen attention to detail and creativity.

Individuals with autism have a unique way of thinking that is often characterized by intense focus and attention to detail. This can lead them to think deeply about specific topics, often for extended periods of time. This can lead to differences in how information is processed, which can affect behavior and communication. One of the main differences in the brains of people with ASD is in the way that information is processed. The brain is made up of billions of neurons that communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals. Tweens and teens on the spectrum may need more direction than their peers in other areas, especially understanding puberty and sexual development. Adult intervention is always needed when bullying occurs – especially for youth with ASD.