Social Skills Dysfunction

While some people with ASD are severely impaired, others may be only mildly affected. Many children with ASD:

• Avoid eye contact
• Respond unusually to others’ display of emotion or affection
• Experience problems with sleep or digestion
• Have a hard time predicting or understanding others’ actions
• Are prone to overstimulation in a new or loud environment
• Have difficulty with the back-and forth of a conversation
• Talk about a favorite topic without noticing that the listener isn’t interested
• Are slow to respond to attempts to get their attention (such as by calling their name)
• Repeat words or phrases (echolalia [ek-oh-LEY-lee-uh])
• Use an unusual monotone or sing-song tone of voice
• Are sensitive to noise, clothing textures, light, or temperature

Along with challenges, many people with ASD:

• Are strong auditory and visual learners
• Are able to learn quickly and retain information
• Have above-average or high intelligence
• Excel in areas such as the sciences and math or art and music

<p>Everyone has different levels of social ability. Since ASD covers a wide spectrum of symptoms, some milder symptoms may go unrecognized. However, if you have concerns about potential social or other delays in your child, talk to your pediatrician to see if a screening for ASD is recommended. Your pediatrician may refer your child for further screening by an expert.</p>

Many studies have been and are being done to determine the cause of autism, but no one knows exactly why it occurs. Studies suggest that any of these factors may play a part:

• Genetics
• Environment
• Differences in development in several brain regions
• Disruptions of normal brain development very early on
• Premature birth

ASDs are NOT caused by:

• Parental practices
• Childhood vaccinations

To diagnose ASD, your child’s pediatrician will ask you about your child’s growth milestones at regular well-child checkups. If the doctor notices symptoms of developmental delays consistent with ASD, they may refer your child for further testing and evaluation by one or more specialists. An ASD diagnosis is often a team effort including healthcare professionals such as a pediatric neurologist, developmental pediatrician, speech therapist, or a child psychiatrist or psychologist.

There is no medical test to determine if someone has ASD. The best way to make a diagnosis is to observe symptoms and determine how much disruption they cause in the child’s daily life. A specialist may:

• Ask parents or teachers to fill out scored questionnaires to help show problems in different areas (such as school, work, and home)
• Observe your child’s social interactions and communication skills over time
• Give your child hearing, language, speech, developmental level, and social/behavioral issues tests
• Test for social dysfunction through scoring your child’s reactions to different social interactions
• Get the opinion of other specialists before making a diagnosis
• Recommend genetic testing

Note: Because speech delays from hearing problems can sometimes look like ASD, children who are being screened should also be tested for hearing loss.

ASD does not currently have a cure, and many adults and adolescents with ASD do not believe they need to be “cured.” However, many families have found therapies and interventions that help improve specific symptoms and encourage social skills development. There are many treatment options, programs, social services, and other resources. Earlier intervention is usually better. The ideal treatment plan will take into account the child’s strengths and weaknesses and coordinate therapies such as:

• Educational and behavioral interventions
• Counseling for the child, or family counseling for siblings and parents
• Medicine to treat related symptoms, such as seizures, aggression, irritability, repetitive behavior, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, impulsivity, and hyperactivity

Talk with your child’s pediatrician before trying alternative or complementary therapies to make sure they are safe and do not unintentionally reinforce negative behaviors.

There is no way to prevent ASD. No one knows the exact cause, although genetics and environment likely play a role. If you have a family history of autism or any emotional disorders, let your child’s pediatrician know so you can work together to carefully monitor developmental milestones and intervene early if you notice any issues.

BRAIN
http://ninds.nih.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
http://www.nichd.nih.gov

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov

Association for Science in Autism Treatment
http://www.asatonline.org

Autism National Committee (AUTCOM)
http://www.autcom.org

Autism Network International (ANI)
http://www.autismnetworkinternational.org

Autism Science Foundation
http://www.autismsciencefoundation.org

Autism Society of America
http://www.autism-society.org

Autism Speaks, Inc.
http://www.autismspeaks.org

MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and PDD
http://www.aspergersyndrome.org

Social and communication dysfunctions are symptoms of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). At its most basic level, autism means ongoing issues with communication and social interaction. People with ASD may fit in different places on the autism “spectrum” with a wide variety of disability, symptoms, and skills. Along with social and communication issues, ongoing symptoms include repetitive behaviors and limited interests and activities. Children with ASD may also find it difficult to process large amounts of information.

Most people on the autism spectrum lack the ability to understand, organize, and analyze information. These abilities are called “executive function.” Executive functioning difficulties can be seen in different ways. Your child may:

• Notice minor details but not be able to see how details fit a larger picture
• Lack skills in planning, self-regulation, and sequencing
• Have difficulty maintaining attention
• Be disorganized in thoughts and actions

Social skills disorders do not have a cure, but many have found relief for certain symptoms through therapies, medicines, interventions, and diet.