{"id":1549,"date":"2021-12-06T13:28:01","date_gmt":"2021-12-06T18:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ehu.irn.temporary.site\/?page_id=1549"},"modified":"2024-05-11T02:45:41","modified_gmt":"2024-05-11T06:45:41","slug":"what-is-autism","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/what-is-autism\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Autism?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/ehu.irn.temporary.site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/sparta-what-is-autiism.webp” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”180px||180px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”15%||15%||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”15%||15%||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”40px” header_text_shadow_style=”preset5″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

What is autism?<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#8C0401″ background_enable_pattern_style=”on” background_pattern_style=”confetti” background_pattern_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.13)” custom_margin=”0vh||0vh||true|false” custom_padding=”80px||80px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” width=”60%” width_tablet=”60%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1680px” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|5vh||5vh|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|3vh||3vh|false|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”EB Garamond||||on||||” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”0px|11px||11px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]It\u2019s a simple question with a not-so-simple answer. In short, autism is a developmental disorder that impacts the nervous system and can severely impact one\u2019s ability to communicate and interact with others. However, its effects can be wide-ranging, which is why it\u2019s commonly referred to as autism spectrum disorder. How it affects a person depends on where they are in the spectrum.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f7f7f7″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”1300px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_tabs active_tab_background_color=”#8C0401″ inactive_tab_background_color=”#FFFFFF” active_tab_text_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_align=”left” tab_font_size=”18px” module_alignment=”center” tab_font_size_tablet=”18px” tab_font_size_phone=”14px” tab_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_free_form=”selector ul.et_pb_tabs_controls:after{|| border: 0 !important;||}||selector .et_pb_tabs_controls{|| background-color: transparent !important;|| display: flex;|| flex-wrap: wrap;|| justify-content: center;||}||selector .et_pb_tabs_controls li{|| border-radius: 10px;|| border: 0;|| margin: 0 10px 10px 10px;||}||selector .et_pb_all_tabs{|| border-radius: 10px;|| border: 1px solid #e1e1e1;||}” border_width_all=”0px” border_style_all=”none” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_tab title=”Autism Spectrum Disorder” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Unlike certain developmental disorders, ASD can impact people in a wide variety of ways. Individuals with autism can display different symptoms at different levels of severity.<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Symptoms of ASD<\/strong><\/h4>\n
    \n
  • Behavioral <\/strong>– trouble keeping eye contact, compulsive behavior, repetitive words or actions, disproportionately upset over minor changes, obsessively follows routines<\/li>\n
  • Developmental <\/strong>– delayed development in facial expressions, name response, use of gestures, imagination-based play<\/li>\n
  • Cognitive <\/strong>– difficulty paying attention, hyperfocused on limited interests, delayed learning skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    There are also seemingly-unrelated symptoms that one may never consider, such as gastrointestinal issues. The list of characteristics associated with ASD is vast and every case is different. Two autistic children can display wildly different symptoms and appear to be experiencing two very different disorders, and yet they still fall under the umbrella of ASD.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”At What Age Does Autism Develop?” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

    The age of onset for ASD can range from the first few months all the way to three years of age. Children are often diagnosed after 3 years. Before that, it can be difficult to tell if autism is playing a part in a child\u2019s development. For example, a child born with autism can gain skills and function like a non-autistic child, meeting the same developmental milestones, and then suddenly stop gaining new skills or even lose the ones they had.<\/p>\n

    Late-onset ASD refers to cases that develop after age 2.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Nonverbal Autism” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

    Nonverbal autism, or nonspeaking autism, is not a specific diagnosis, so different health professionals may describe the condition in different ways. In general, those with nonverbal autism have trouble communicating verbally and some may not speak at all. It\u2019s estimated that 25-30% of autism cases are of a nonverbal variety.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s important to note that, simply because an autistic individual isn\u2019t speaking, it doesn\u2019t mean that they\u2019re not trying to communicate, nor does it mean they\u2019re less intelligent than other ASD individuals who do speak. Like many who are diagnosed with ASD, nonverbal individuals often go on to live full, independent lives.<\/p>\n

    Another factor that makes nonverbal autism hard to diagnose is that children with autism often experience delays in speech development, so just because a child isn\u2019t speaking at the expected age doesn\u2019t mean that they won\u2019t fully develop those skills as they grow older.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”A Wide Spectrum” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]As autism is a spectrum, and a wide one at that, we\u2019ve barely scratched the surface of what it means to be autistic. Diagnosing and working with ASD individuals is an ongoing process and one that requires a fluid and evolving approach to ensure that an individual\u2019s very specific needs are being met.[\/et_pb_tab][\/et_pb_tabs][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/ehu.irn.temporary.site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/College-point-blue-sky-Banner-min.webp” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.78)” width=”50%” width_tablet=”50%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”50px||50px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”50px||50px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#841B21″ header_3_font_size=”30px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

    Learn More About ABA Therapy!<\/h3>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE1NzYifX0=@” button_text=”Click Here” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.16.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” button_bg_use_color_gradient=”on” button_bg_color_gradient_stops=”#b11f24 0%|#8c0401 100%” button_bg_color_gradient_start=”#b11f24″ button_bg_color_gradient_end=”#8c0401″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” button_text_size_tablet=”2vw” button_text_size_phone=”5vw” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    What is autism?It\u2019s a simple question with a not-so-simple answer. In short, autism is a developmental disorder that impacts the nervous system and can severely impact one\u2019s ability to communicate and interact with others. However, its effects can be wide-ranging, which is why it\u2019s commonly referred to as autism spectrum disorder. How it affects a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1549","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1549","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1549"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1549\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4536,"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1549\/revisions\/4536"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1549"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}