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What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) ?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder that impacts 1 in 36 children according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), 2023. Traits of autism can be seen as young as 18 months old. Autism is classified as a “spectrum” disorder, indicating that the severity and the functioning level of a child with autism varies widely, that no two individuals with autism in the world share the same set of traits.

Diagnosis from DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) published in 2013 has now classified ALL of the following under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

Autistic Disorder
Asperger’s Syndrome
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder, not otherwise specified)

Social Communication and Interaction Impairment	Restrictive Repetitive Behavior, interest or activities
Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity.	Repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech.
Deficits in social interactions.	Rigid at routines, inflexible and insistence of sameness.
Deficits in developing, maintaining and understanding relationships.	Highly restricted or fixated interest that are abnormal in intensity and focus.
	Over or under sensitivity or interest in sensory stimuli (pain, temperature, lights movements, smell, sound, texture, touch, etc.)

Despite the fact that the traits of ASD may occur as early as the age of 18 months, the traits tend to become more notifiable to parents commonly after the age of two, especially when social demands increase as the child grows as compared to other peers of same age, especially in terms of their language & communication development, socialization skills, cognitive thinking ability, and persistently engage in disruptive behaviors that interfere with their learning.