EVMS Autism program FAQ

 

 

Please contact the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at (757) 446-5888 and ask for the ASD program.  Your request will be reviewed and, in most cases, an appointment will be given to you.  You will be sent an information packet through the mail.  Any copies of testing, medical records, school records, etc. should be sent ahead of the scheduled appointment.  Individuals with ASD that are 14 years or older are eligible for evaluation.

 

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. It affects development in many areas especially social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, emotion regulation, and behavior.

Autism is estimated to affect an estimated 1 in 110 births (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2009). Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. Autism knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries; family income levels; lifestyle choices; or educational levels. If one member of a family has autism, there is a greater chance of other family members having autism. It is four times more likely to occur in boys than in girls, but we don't know why.

The characteristic behaviors of autism may or may not be apparent during early childhood (24 months to 6 years). Sometimes children will develop normally and then lose their milestones especially in language and social interaction. Before two years of age, subtle changes (e.g. avoiding eye contact) may be present but hard to discern. As part of a well-baby check up, your child's doctor should ask specific questions about your baby's progress. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) lists five behaviors that signal further evaluation is warranted:

• Does not babble or coo by 12 months
• Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp) by 12 months
• Does not say single words by 16 months
• Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own by 24 months
• Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age

Having any of these five "red flags," does not mean your child has autism, but that a further evaluation may be needed.

There are no medical tests for diagnosing autism. An accurate diagnosis must be based on observation of the individual's communication, behavior and developmental levels. There are new, more specific psychological tests that can help make the diagnosis (e.g Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule or the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised). Other illnesses like anxiety, mood swings, and intellectual disability may be present along with autism so additional testing and careful diagnosis may be needed. A brief observation in one setting is usually not sufficient and a team approach to diagnosis is common. However, because many of the behaviors associated with autism are shared by other disorders, various medical tests may also be ordered to rule out or identify other possible causes of the symptoms being exhibited. A physical exam and medical evaluation are important. At first glance, some persons with autism may appear to have an intellectual disability, a behavior disorder, problems with hearing, or even odd or eccentric behavior. To complicate matters further, these conditions can co-occur with autism. However, it is important to distinguish autism from other conditions, since an accurate diagnosis and early identification can provide the basis for building an appropriate and effective educational and treatment program.

There is no treatment for the core symptoms of autism but many therapies can help substantially, such as:

• speech therapy to improve verbalization and communication
• social skills groups to improve social interaction
• behavior modification to help change dysfunctional behaviors
• individual therapy to ease adjustment to the diagnosis
• family therapy to help the family
• medication to help manage anxiety, depression, frustration, and behavior
• good medical care to help with GI problems, for example

Yes. However, the therapies listed above can help the individual with autism improve their level of coping and functioning significantly.

Asperger's Disorder is an autism spectrum disorder. Those individuals did not have any speech or language delays though they still have communication problems. Their intelligence often is in the average to above average range. The main problem they have is difficulty with social interaction and repetitive behavior.

Yes. Temple Grandin, a well known woman with autism, took her specific interest in animal behavior and improved the cattle industry. Given sufficient support, an individual with autism can usually have various levels of employment.

Some of the medications used to treat the symptoms of autism can have serious side effects. The benefits of using the medication and helping an individual with autism live more happily may be worth the risk of using the medication. Your doctor can help you with that information and in making those choices.