Table of Contents
How do I know if I am high-functioning autistic?
Parents and teachers may notice that young autistics have problems interacting with their peers. These symptoms of high-functioning autism in children and teenagers can include a limited social circle, problems sharing toys or materials, and difficulty completing group work.
Does having autism mean you have a learning disability?
Like a learning disability, autism is a lifelong condition. Autism is sometimes referred to as a spectrum, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism is not a learning disability, but around half of autistic people may also have a learning disability.
What percentage of people with an autistic spectrum disorder will also have a learning disability?
60-70\% of people who have an autistic spectrum condition will also have a learning disability. The prevalence of autism increases with greater severity of learning disability or lower verbal IQ.
Why is it difficult to diagnose autism spectrum disorder?
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult because there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorder. Doctors look at the child’s developmental history and behavior to make a diagnosis.
Do autistic people really have an altered sense of touch?
D espite the many anecdotes about an altered sense of touch in autistic people, quantifying the differences has proved difficult. In some experiments, autistic people notice a light pressure on their skin that their typical peers are oblivious to. But others show less sensitivity than or no real difference from controls.
What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction. The symptoms are present from early childhood and affect daily functioning.
Can a 12 year old be diagnosed with autism?
In order to be diagnosed with autism, your child must have developed symptoms at an early age, even if those symptoms only became problematic in later years. A brand new symptom at age 12 or 14 may look a little like autism, but is probably diagnosable as something else.