Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | Listening Ears

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

ASD is a developmental condition that affects how a person communicates and interacts with others. Individuals with ASD may have difficulty understanding social cues, exhibit repetitive behaviors, and have specific routines or interests. Symptoms typically appear before age 3 and can vary widely among individuals.

Signs and Symptoms of Autism

Communication

  • Understanding and using gestures like pointing or waving;
  • Understanding and using spoken words;
  • Understanding language that doesn’t mean exactly what it says, like expressions or ideas that are nonliteral;
  • Following directions;
  • Learning to read or write—some children with autism read early but do not understand what they read (this is called hyperlexia); and
  • Having or starting conversations.

A Person With Autism may

  • Lose early words; talk very little or not at all;
  • Be hard to understand;
  • Repeat words or phrases that they just heard recently or that they heard days or weeks earlier (this is called echolalia);
  • Use challenging or unconventional behaviors instead of words or gestures to communicate what they want;

A Person With Autism may

  • Lose early words; talk very little or not at all;
  • Be hard to understand;
  • Repeat words or phrases that they just heard recently or that they heard days or weeks earlier (this is called echolalia);
  • Use challenging or unconventional behaviors instead of words or gestures to communicate what they want;

Social Skills

  • Making eye contact
  • Join in play with others and share toys,
  • Respond when others invite them to play or talk,
  • Understand how others feel,
  • Take turns in play or in conversation

Behaviors

  • Repeat certain behaviors, including hand or body movements;
  • Repeat words, phrases, and songs;
  • Get upset by certain sounds, smells, or textures;
  • Choose foods based on look or texture;

Behaviors

  • Repeat certain behaviors, including hand or body movements;
  • Repeat words, phrases, and songs;
  • Get upset by certain sounds, smells, or textures;
  • Choose foods based on look or texture;

Empower Your Child's Development Today

Our team of specialized therapists works with you to explore a comprehensive set of intervention options, combining developmental approaches to modify behaviors through reinforcement, encourage spontaneous learning through play, and enhance communication while reducing challenges in school settings.