Autism Spectrum Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment and Care

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder that governs communication and interaction with others and even affects information processing. It has been termed a “spectrum” disorder because symptoms and severity significantly vary amongst the individuals. Due to the problem in social interaction, persons with ASD tend to withdraw themselves, and they display repeated behavior. Communication can range from non-verbal to highly verbal. Other characteristics include sensory sensitivities and rigid adherence to routines (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). While ASD makes the way a person experiences the world differently, with appropriate support, many individuals on the spectrum lead fulfilling lives.

The signs and symptoms of ASD typically appear in early childhood and vary greatly depending on the individual. Common signs and symptoms include:

Communication difficulties: Delayed speech, forgetting words used in the past, an absence of spoken language or difficulty maintaining conversations (Mayo Clinic, 2018).

Social challenges: Limited eye contact, difficulties understanding social cues, or an apparent lack of interest in social interactions or gatherings.

Repetitive behaviors: Engaging in repetitive actions, such as hand-flapping, nodding heads, or lining up objects, and insisting on specific routines or rituals, such as bringing cups to show they want to drink water.

Sensory sensitivities: Over- or under-reactivity to sensory inputs, such as sound, touch, or light.

Restricted interests: Intense focus on specific topics or activities to the exclusion of others (Christopoulou et al., 2022).

Behavioral therapy: One of the most extensively used therapies for ASD is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). It focuses on rewarding positive behaviors and minimizing negative ones. ABA enables people to develop necessary life skills like communication and social interaction (Christopoulou et al., 2022).

Speech and Language Therapy: Current data indicate that individuals with ASD have speech problems as well in most instances (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA], n.d.). Speech therapy improves verbal skills while developing language and non-verbal means of communication, including gestures or picture boards.

Occupational therapy: This treatment-based procedure assists people with ASD in carrying out certain day-to-day activities. Occupational therapists work with individuals to improve their eating, dressing, interaction with peers, and/or sensitivity to sensory factors (Case-Smith & Arbesman, 2008).

Medication: Although no medication can cure ASD, this treatment allows certain medications to help manage symptoms such as anxiety, hyperactivity, or irritability. In this respect, antipsychotic medications or SSRIs are sometimes used to decrease anxiety or repetitive behaviors (APA, 2013).

To care for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder requires a tremendous amount of patience, understanding with empathy, and being flexible while working with people who have ASD. Assistance can be provided in several ways

Individualized Communication: Given that people with ASD frequently experience communication problems, the basis of any communication has to be clear and precise. Depending on the person’s capabilities, additional communication supports may be needed, such as picture boards, gestures, or demonstrations. It is also very important not to hurry but to give much time for a response.

Structured Environment: Clear routines and structures often help individuals with ASD. As a guardian or support, one must easily maintain schedules and avoid any abrupt changes that may cause distress for the child/patient. If advance warning is given of a change in schedule, this will help lower anxiety.

Sensory Sensitivity Awareness: People with ASD have various sensitivities (heightened or reduced) to basic sensory stimuli. As a guardian or caregiver, one needs to be sensitive to the client’s preference in terms of sensory stimuli and try to accommodate them. For example, I can minimize exposure to bright lights or noise that may cause discomfort or offer specific activities such as self-soothing when needed (Marco et al., 2011).

Encouraging Social Skills: Although it can be difficult for a person with ASD to interact with others socially, one can encourage them by enabling them to engage in different social interactions in a laid-back atmosphere. By using behavioral reinforcement methodologies, these individuals could practice some key social behaviors, such as maintaining eye contact or commencing a conversation, taking full consideration of their individualized needs and abilities (Koegel et al., 2014).

American Psychiatric Association, DSM-5 Task Force. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5™ (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). (n.d.). Communication About Autism: Considerations for ASHA Members. https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/autism/communication-about-autism/

Case-Smith, J., & Arbesman, M. (2008). Evidence-based review of interventions for autism used in or of relevance to occupational therapy. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62(4), 416-429.

Christopoulou, M., Drosos, K., & Petinou, K. (2022). Recent Advances of Telepractice for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Speech and Language Pathology. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 18, 2379–2389. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S384300

Koegel, L. K., Park, M. N., & Koegel, R. L. (2014). Using self-management to improve the reciprocal social conversation of children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 44, 1055-1063.

Marco, E. J., Hinkley, L. B., Hill, S. S., & Nagarajan, S. S. (2011). Sensory processing in autism: a review of neurophysiologic findings. Pediatric research, 69(8), 48-54. Mayo Clinic. (2018). Autism spectrum disorder. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928