Autism Spectrum Disorder In Children: Types, Symptoms & Causes

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Autism spectrum disorder(ASD) in children is a collection of neurodevelopmental disorders or conditions in which a child cannot respond to certain social situations appropriately. As a result, it may be difficult for a child with ASD to learn skills required for everyday functioning that might eventually affect their behavior, communication, and the ability to understand social cues and social-emotional skills. Since ASD is a spectrum, each child may display a unique combination of strengths and challenges. It primarily affects children’s social skills and might impact their lives (1).

Read on about the types, causes, risk factors, treatment, and management of autism spectrum disorder in children.

How Common Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

According to estimates made by the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, about one in 54 children are diagnosed with ASD.

The disorder is more common in boys than girls and is prevalent in people of all racial, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds (2).

The graph shows the increase in the percentage of children with autism in the US through the years 2004 to 2022. The percentage of children with ASD increased through the years, with the curve being stagnant in the years 2014 and 2016 (13).

Autism prevelance rate in the US

Types Of Autism Spectrum Disorder

There are five main types of autism spectrum disorder (3).

1. Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder

Although it was earlier called Asperger’s syndrome (most people are still familiar with this name), it has been reclassified as level 1 autism spectrum disorder by the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 diagnostic manual. The syndrome is characterized by problems with social and communication skills.

2. Rett syndrome

It is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder in infants, primarily girls. A global prevalence study by multiple researchers indicated that Rett syndrome is diagnosed among 7.1 cases per 100,000 females. This syndrome affects almost every aspect of life as it is characterized by loss of coordination, breathing problems, and communication and speech problems. (4)

Point to consider

Loss of previously acquired skills is the primary symptom of Rett syndrome (4).

3. Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD)

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Childhood disintegrative disorder is also known as Heller’s syndrome or disintegrative psychosis. It is one of the childhood disorders that cause development problems in language, motor skills, toileting skills, or social function.

4. Kanner’s syndrome

It is described as a classic autistic disorder. Children with this syndrome appear intelligent and alert but have a few underlying problems.

5. Pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

This is a mild type of autism disorder with varying symptoms, the most common of which include problems with the development of social and language skills.

Is Rett Syndrome An ASD?

Rett syndrome is a type of autism that usually occurs in girls. Rett syndrome is caused by a mutation in the MECP2 gene on the X chromosome and does not occur at birth. The similarities between Rett syndrome and ASD include symptoms such as repetitive behaviors, anxiety, and seizures.

Generally, children diagnosed with Rett syndrome show temporary atypical social behavior, while those with ASD may show atypical behavior for a longer period. Also, children with Rett syndrome may have more severe movement problems than those with ASD (4).

ASD Symptoms In Children

The following are some signs and symptoms that can be noticed in children with ASD (5).

• Reduced eye contact and lack of facial expressions
• Inability to respond to their name
• Preference to stay alone

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• Resistance to holding or cuddling
• Speech and developmental delays
• Problems starting conversations and interacting with others.
• Abnormal tone while speaking, such as speaking like a robot or speaking to the tune of a song
• Inability to express themselves and understand people’s expressions.
• Difficulty understanding simple words, phrases, sentences, and questions and lack of cognitive flexibility
• Repetition of movements, such as rocking, spinning, or hand flapping
• Problems with coordination, such as toe walking and stiff body
• Sensory sensitivities to light touch or sounds
• Peculiar food preferences

Quick fact

Children with autism spectrum condition may also have strengths such as long-term memory, excelling in science, math, music, or art, and they are exceptional auditory and visual learners (1).

Causes And Risk Factors For ASD In Children

Autism causes for autism spectrum disorder are not known. However, experts believe that it could be a combination of environmental and genetic factors. The following factors could put a child at a higher risk for ASD (1) (6).

• Exposure to toxins before or after birth
• Infections before birth and low birth weight
• Having an older parent or a sibling with ASD
• Viral infections in children such as meningitis or encephalitis, which lead to brain damage.
• Various genetic conditions are said to be involved in autism spectrum disorder. For some children, autism spectrum disorder can be due to Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome, and for others, it could be Down syndrome.

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Complications Of ASD In Children

ASD can sometimes lead to the following complications (7).

• Fragile X syndrome
• Intellectual disability
• Tuberous sclerosis

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• Social and emotional problems

Did you know?

Autism is often associated with gastrointestinal disorders. These disorders are eight times more common in children with autism than in others (13).

Diagnosis And Tests

The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder can be tricky as no specific medical tests exist. Therefore, mental health professionals observe the child’s development pattern and behavior to conclude the diagnosis.

There are specific questionnaires for screening which your pediatrician normally does at routine well-baby visits at 18 months and 24 months of age. However, if you observe any discrepancy or abnormal behavior in your child at a younger age, bring it to your doctor’s notice so that the baby can be appropriately evaluated.

Children who show symptoms of developmental problems during well-child check-ups are further evaluated by experts such as a developmental pediatrician, a pediatric psychologist or psychiatrist, a neuropsychologist, and a speech-language pathologist. In some cases, blood tests and hearing tests may also be performed to rule out other disorders (1) (8).

Management And Treatment Of ASD In Children

The symptoms of ASD can be managed and treated using the following approaches (9).

• Behavior and communication approaches: These approaches help the child gain structure, organize themselves, and improve their social, communication, and movement skills. They include behavior therapy such as applied behavior analysis (ABA) and speech and language therapy.

• Dietary approaches: These involve removing particular types of foods from the child’s diet and replacing them with vitamins and supplements.

• Medications: Medications prescribed by a healthcare professional may help regulate their energy, focus, or any form of behavioral activity or self-injury. It may not cure the core symptoms but helps in managing them.

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• Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments: Some parents may use treatment methods that fall outside the regular approaches. These may include a particular diet, chelation, or mind-body medicine. Always consult a doctor before trying any CAM treatments.

Recalling how she discovered the food preferences of her child with autism spectrum disorder, Farjana Akhtar, a mother, says, “As for my son in starting, I could not understand what kind of food he liked. So I offered him various types of food, and then I understood that he liked to eat spicy food. He enjoys it most when I hug and kiss him (i).”

Prevention Of ASD In Children

There is no specific way to prevent ASD in children as the exact cause of the disorder is not known. Mental health professionals state that ASD is not related to the way a child is raised. They also believe that any vaccination taken during childhood has no role in the development of ASD.

Therefore, the best approach to help a child with ASD is to diagnose and treat the symptoms early. This will help enhance the child’s development and improve their quality of life (6).

Infographic: Do Children With Autism Outperform Their Peers In Certain Skills?

Children with autism may have proficient skills in certain areas. Turning their talent in the right direction can do wonders. Although they face communication skills and socialization issues, most are blessed with gifted abilities. Go through the infographic to know the exceptional abilities of children with autism to identify and grow their special talents.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Autism Spectrum Disorder In Children: Types Symptoms & Causes

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Raising a child with autism can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Explore how to best support and nurture your child with the help of this video.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Garima Garg SethMD

Dr. Garima Garg Seth is a well-known pediatrician in Gurgaon, having more than 19 years of experience in this field. She has completed her education from topmost organizations in India, including AIIMS, New Delhi; Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi; and CMC Vellore.

Read full bio of Dr. Garima Garg Seth

Apoorva KMSc (Counseling Psychology)

Apoorva is a certified psychological counselor and NLP practitioner. The assistant professor-turned-writer believes that her experience as a teacher, psychologist, and researcher enables her to guide MomJunction readers on child development and mental health.

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Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

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Vidya TadapatriMSc (Biotechnology)

Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology.

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