Recognizing ASD

BY TERESA BRENNAN, M.D., DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRICIAN

With the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) at an all-time high, parents and caregivers should be alert to the signs and symptoms of this developmental disorder that can be diagnosed in the first years of life. Early diagnosis and intervention have been shown to make a significant difference in outcomes of children with ASD.

ASD is characterized by a wide range of symptoms including:

• Problems with social interaction and communication

• Repetitive behaviors such as rocking, spinning, hand flapping and toe walking

• Significant difficulty with a change in daily routine or ritual, which may result in severe tantrums

As they grow, children should exhibit the following developmental milestones:

• Six months: Smiling with warm, joyful facial expressions; making good eye contact and engaging easily with caregivers

• Six to 12 months: Responding to their own name; making babbling sounds like baba, gaga, mama, dada

• 12 months: Making back and forth gestures such as reaching for parents to pick them up, waving, pointing with the index finger for things they want

• 18 – 24 months: Saying many words, even if they are not pronounced correctly; pointing to body parts when asked, “Where is your tummy? Feet?”

• 24 months: Saying their own two-word phrases, not just repeating what others say

If a child fails to exhibit any of the aforementioned milestones or if he loses speech or social skills at any age, families should consult with their pediatrician or primary care physician about an evaluation for ASD.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that well-child checkups include developmental screening at 9, 18 and 24 to 30 months with specific screening for autism spectrum disorders at eighteen and twenty-four months. If a child is diagnosed with ASD, therapy is directed at communication, language and social interaction. In addition to speech/language and occupational therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a conditioning behavior therapy targeting specific behaviors, is the gold standard treatment for autism spectrum disorders.

Dr. Brennan is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. She received her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University, where she completed her pediatric internship and residency. She also completed a Robert Wood Johnson fellowship in general pediatrics at Duke University and a fellowship in neurodevelopmental disabilities at the University of Virginia.