Autism in Children
Also known as: autism spectrum disorder or ASD, autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), Asperger syndrome.
What is autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that is defined as social-communication deficits in combination with engagement in excessive restrictive and repetitive behaviors.
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to the wide range of symptoms of autism that can present differently in each child: Some patients present with mild (level 1) symptoms, whereas others can present with moderate (level 2) or more severe (level 3) symptoms.
What causes autism?
To date, the strongest association with autism is genetics, evidenced by increased rates of autism in siblings or other first or second-degree relatives. In addition, many abnormal genetic findings are known to be associated with autistic behaviors. Prenatal or perinatal factors including prematurity, congenital heart disease and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are also associated with increased incidences of autism.
There is no medical evidence that vaccines or certain diets are related to autism.
What are the symptoms of autism?
Autism can be detected in very early life, as young as one year of age, in which children are observed to behave differently than children of the same age. Young children with autism may not make eye contact, respond to their name, interact well with parents or show interest in playing with age-matched peers. Children with autism typically have communication or speech delays, and individuals with more mild symptoms will often have awkward or unusual communication skills.
Furthermore, children with autism often engage in abnormal play in early life in which they may line up toys and intensely focus on parts of toys such as spinning objects, or they may have little interest in playing with toys in general. Children also frequently engage in repetitive movements with their body, such as hand flapping and spinning, and may make unusual vocalizations such as humming. Finally, children with autism may have significant sensory symptoms, including but not limited to dislike of certain food textures and noises, and can be easily overwhelmed in crowded environments.
Other conditions associated with autism
Children with autism have an increased risk for seizures, otherwise known as epilepsy. Some individuals with autism may have intellectual disability or specific learning disabilities, while others may show highly advanced skills in certain topics or activities. In addition, some people with autism are diagnosed with co-occurring behavioral or psychiatric conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety or mood disorders.
What are autism care options?
There is no known cure for autism; it is generally a lifelong condition and there are no medications or dietary supplements that can specifically treat the core features of autism. However, some individuals with autism and co-occurring conditions such as epilepsy, ADHD or other psychiatric disorders may greatly benefit from targeted medication treatment.
Importantly, interventions including speech, occupational and behavioral therapies can help improve the symptoms of autism and promote functional independence. Importantly, it is essential to seek a diagnosis as early as possible, as such interventions often have the most profound effect if implemented in early toddlerhood. In addition, as each child is unique and has individual needs, recommended treatments often vary.
Reviewed by: Abigail E Ley, MD
This page was last updated on: June 17, 2025 05:37 PM
April 14, 2021 – Why is my child not communicating? Why are mealtimes such a battle? These are some of the questions that speech-language therapists are asked when first meeting families seeking therapy for a young child. Sometimes, it is not just a lack of “speech” or difficulties eating that are the focus of our evaluation. Sometimes we are the first to tell parents or caregivers that the child has what we call “red flags for autism.”
August 10, 2018 –
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder may present with behavioral management problems in the dental setting due to increased anxiety, fear and increased sensory stimulation.
Related Podcasts
Join us as we speak with Dr. Abigail Ley, pediatric neurologist at Nicklaus Children's, about Autism Spectrum Disorders: Navigating early diagnosis, therapies, and resources for children with autism.
Abril es el mes dedicado a crear conciencia sobre el autismo. En este episodio nos acompaña Maggie, una madre con dos hijos diagnosticados con autismo, para brindar consejos y crear conciencia sobre este diagnóstico que afecta a 1 de cada 36 niños en los Estados Unidos.
Related Videos
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. It typically appears in early childhood, and parents and caregivers may notice signs and symptoms as early as 12 to 18 months of age. Learn the signs of autism for early detection and care.