Autism, commonly known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of lifelong neuro developmental conditions. The real cause behind autism is not well known, but research seem to suggest it to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
And with the rising autism awareness, we are now witnessing more scientific interest in ASD than ever before. This is more so the case when it comes to testing for autism. Certain previously separate diagnoses, like Asperger syndrome, are now regarded as a part of ASD.
It is important to note that autism is a heterogeneous condition. What this simply means is that individuals with ASD show a range of symptoms that may or may not be equally perceivable. Some symptoms tend to show up earlier in life than others. Actually, there are parents who start observing signs of autism in their children before the age of 1.
In children that are 12 months or younger, you may notice symptoms such as engaging in repetitive body movements, avoiding or not maintaining eye contact, and not responding to their name. They may also have difficulty in advancing their language skills or losing language skills previously attained. When you notice these symptoms, then testing for autism is advisable.
Autism symptoms of individuals that are 24 months or younger can include; attempting acts of self-harm or self-isolation, fixating on specific areas of interest, not communicating their passions through gestures or words, and having difficulty reciprocating when engaging in simple interactive activities.
As we near conclusion, you should always remember that autism is a complex condition. In this regard, testing for autism should be made by medical professionals, not Google. With autism, individuals are diagnosed based on their performance in social interactions and their exhibition of repetitive behaviors.
To ensure accuracy when testing for autism, medical providers may work as teams to determine if the assessment is sufficiently comprehensive. All in all, autism is not an ailment. Autism is not a disease. For this reason, there is no cure for ASD.
Nevertheless, autistic individuals can still immensely benefit from timely diagnosis of their conditions. Many educational and medical specialists in Singapore are dedicated to offering support and resources to children and adults diagnosed with ASD.
For more information, be sure to have a word with your family physicians, pediatricians, or nurse practitioners before deciding on the next step of action.
