Developmental Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder:
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that is usually diagnosed in the first three years of life. Generally, parents become concerned when their child has delays in speech development, limited social relatedness, and restricted interests and activities. The child may avoid direct eye contact and exhibit odd behaviors such as focusing on parts of objects (e.g., the spinning wheel of a toy car). There may be unusual motor movements such as hand flapping, self-stimulation, or walking on toes.
Finding the right treatment plan can be challenging because every child is unique and has different strengths and weaknesses. Often, parents have their child tested for hearing problems because their child does not respond to conversation or commands. They may also show strange or difficult-to-manage behaviors. Early detection and getting the right educational, medical, behavioral, and supportive services can improve the functioning and long-term outlook of children with autism.