Autism impacts one out of every 59 children, affecting their developmental growth and social skills. Shaping Your Future Psych assesses your child’s health and offers several treatment options to ensure your child’s symptoms are well-managed and their health is a top priority. Talk to us about an evaluation for autism or Asperger’s by calling Shaping Your Future Psych.
Autism and Asperger’s
What is autism?
An autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a broad range of mental health conditions that cause challenges in a child’s social skill and speech and nonverbal communication abilities. Developmental signs of autism often develop by age three.
Autism can also result in repetitive behaviors and the development of additional health complications, such as gastrointestinal disorders, sleep disorders, and seizures. In some children with autism, sensory issues cause intolerance issues with certain sensations, sounds, and sights.
What is Asperger’s syndrome?
Asperger’s syndrome is a part of the autism spectrum and causes symptoms that affect a child’s social interactions and behaviors. Children with Asperger’s typically have difficulty interacting with others and have a strong desire for things to stay the same. They also exhibit certain strengths, such as a remarkable persistence and focus on things they enjoy and attention to detail.
Some of the challenges of Asperger’s syndrome include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Clumsiness
- Difficulties with conversation
Trouble understanding nonverbal cues, such as tone and loudness, is also a typical challenge with Asperger’s.
How are autism and Asperger’s diagnosed?
There aren’t any single tests that can confirm a diagnosis of autism or Asperger’s. We will review your child’s medical and family history and may perform other tests to rule out underlying medical conditions.
During a thorough evaluation of your child, we will assess important aspects, such as:
- Social interaction
- Language ability
- Motor skills and coordination
- Interest in social engagement
- Facial expressions during conversation
In addition to the evaluation for autism or Asperger’s, Dr. Rauch may also evaluate your child for associated conditions, like ADHD.
What treatment options are available for ASD and Asperger’s?
Every child’s needs are different. Depending on the severity of your child’s symptoms and the challenges they face at home and in school, Dr. Rauch can create a custom treatment plan that may include medications to manage depression, irritability, and repetitive behaviors.
We may also recommend therapies that address:
- Behavior
- Social skills
- Speech and language
In children who lack coordinated motor skills, we may recommend physical therapy to keep muscles strong and healthy.
We may also recommend family therapy to help you and your family cope with the challenges and changes that result from autism or Asperger’s syndrome. This type of therapy helps build a strong and stable support network of your loved ones to properly care for your child.