Autism
Autism Doesn’t Need to Limit Your Child
Our Experienced Care Empowers Both You and Your Child.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can cause significant social, behavioral, and communication challenges, but research shows that early intervention can help. Many of our students are on the spectrum, and we are equipped to handle even severe cases. Wherever you’re starting from, there’s a path forward to improving numerous aspects of your family’s lives and increasing your child’s chances of thriving in a school environment.
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What is autism spectrum disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects the way you behave and communicate. ASD is a lifelong condition that can be diagnosed at any age, but symptoms usually appear before age 2.
ASD is considered a spectrum disorder due to the wide range of symptoms people experience. Now, an ASD diagnosis encompasses multiple conditions that previously were diagnosed separately, including autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).
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What are the signs and symptoms of autism?
ASD often causes problems with social, emotional, and communication skills. How autism manifests can vary greatly between individuals, often influenced by gender, culture, home environment, and more. Some signs and symptoms of ASD in a child include:
- Avoiding eye contact and wanting to be alone
- Having trouble relating to others or not having interest in people
- Repeating actions over and over again
- Repeating or echoing words or phrases
- Getting upset by slight changes in routine
- Failure to respond to someone calling their name
- Intense interest in certain subjects, such as numbers
- Avoiding or resisting physical contact
- Difficulty expressing needs with typical words or gestures
- Having facial expressions that don’t match the conversation
Because ASD is a spectrum disorder, the learning, thinking, and problem-solving skills of people affected can range from gifted to severely challenged. Signs and symptoms of ASD usually begin during childhood and continue throughout a lifetime, although management techniques can minimize adverse symptoms.
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How is autism diagnosed?
Your child should receive screening for developmental delays during routine well-child visits with your pediatrician. If they suspect your child may have ASD, the team at Scottsdale Children’s Institute can help.
The master’s and doctoral level staff at Scottsdale Children’s Institute provides a comprehensive evaluation for developmental disorders, including ASD. We spend time with your child to observe their cognitive and communication skills as well as age-appropriate behaviors. Then, we provide a formal diagnosis and recommend the best treatment for your child.
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What treatments and therapies are available for autism?
Every member of the team at Scottsdale Children’s Institute is certified or pursuing certification in applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. This approach has been regarded as the gold standard for ASD treatment for decades.
Every ABA plan is customized to the individual, meaning your child receives therapy tailored to their specific needs and goals.
