In some cases, children outgrow their diagnosis.
This is part 1 in “The Autism Puzzle”
Despite autism’s prevalence and public attention, it remains largely a puzzle. This series will bring the pieces together—what it is, what causes the condition, and what could relieve or even cure it.
Unlike depression or anxiety, autism is not classified as a mental illness. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder.
Autism’s distinction as a neurodevelopmental disorder sets it apart in terms of treatment and potential for improvement compared to other psychiatric conditions.
“In autism, kids can go from being quite significantly developmentally delayed on developmental tests to functioning in the normal range,” Dr. Fred Volkmar, a professor emeritus at the Yale School of Medicine specializing in child psychiatry, pediatrics, and psychology, told The Epoch Times.
A Neurodevelopmental Disorder
Neurodevelopmental disorders refer to conditions that typically manifest in early childhood and impair natural development.
The term “neurodevelopmental disorders” is often used interchangeably with “childhood-onset disorders,” said Volkmar. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is another neurodevelopmental disorder many are familiar with.
Autism typically occurs within the first one to three years of life. Though children with milder symptoms may often be diagnosed a few years later.
Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety can occur at anytime in life.
However, having a neurodevelopmental disability can increase a person’s risks of developing mental disorders as they grow older, with 40 to 50 percent of autistic people experiencing depression and anxiety, respectively, at some point in their lives.
People with neurodevelopmental disorders struggle with learning and performing social, cognitive, and/or physical tasks.
In the case of autism, a core difficulty lies in social interaction, with symptoms typically manifesting by 6 to 24 months of age.
“In typical development, social interest and social focusing on other people is a very core feature of development,” psychologist Deborah Fein at the University of Connecticut, who specializes in understanding and treating autism spectrum disorders, told The Epoch Times.
Those with autism often struggle to understand social cues and maintain conversations and relationships. In connection with these social challenges, some autistic children also have language delays and difficulties speaking.
Another defining feature is difficulty adapting to change, which manifests as repetitive behaviors and rigid routines.
What causes these difficulties?
By Marina Zhang
