What is autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often called autism, is a spectrum of conditions that contribute to challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and communication difficulties. It usually gets diagnosed by the time someone is 30 months old.

Each person with autism has challenges, strengths, and ways of learning; some need specialized support, while others can be very independent with the proper tools and opportunities.

What are the primary symptoms of autism?

In children, early symptoms may include:

  • Lack of smiling by 6 months
  • Few sounds or facial expressions by 9 months
  • Lack of waving, reaching, or babbling by 12 months
  • No single words by 16 months
  • No phrases by 24 months
  • Unresponsive to their names
  • Avoiding eye contact
  • Struggling with social skills
  • Repetitive comforting behaviors, such as hand flapping or rocking

Older children and adults may have some of the same symptoms, such as avoiding eye contact, but also display other symptoms of autism, such as:

  • Social anxiety
  • Isolation
  • Difficulty understanding how others feel or what they think
  • Being frequently confused by rules
  • Trouble making friends
  • Seeming unintentionally rude or blunt
  • Taking things too literally
  • Being unaware of social mores, such as personal space
  • Obsessing over plans or daily routines
  • Being keenly interested in specific activities or subjects

Because girls and women can be better at blending in socially and learning to hide their differences, it may be harder for them to be diagnosed and accepted as autistic.

How is autism treated?

While autism doesn’t go away with treatment, there are a variety of tools and strategies to reduce unnecessary stress and help you or a loved one embrace life with autism. The team at RapidRecovery TMS offers personalized treatment plans — no cookie-cutter solutions.

Your plan may include:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Behavioral management therapy
  • Educational and behavioral programs
  • Family therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Medication treatment, such as anti-anxiety medication
  • Speech or physical therapy
  • Social skills training

RapidRecovery TMS takes a collaborative approach to care, always working to adapt treatment plans so every patient receives the best support for their optimal quality of life. To learn more about the spectrum of autism and its associated treatments, contact RapidRecovery TMS online or call the office today.