"It is common for me and other people with autism to be unable to say the words to describe what is bothering us. It's also hard for us to figure out that other people don't experience the world the same way we do".
ASD is a developmental disorder that affects:
Communication and social skills develop in children at different rates. Communication involves many different skills. Children learn to understand what people say to them; speak clearly and use words and sentences to talk and get their message across; understand and use gestures, signs and body language; look, listen and take turns in a conversation.
Children with ASD interpret the world and what is happening around them differently than other children.
Behaviours associated with ASD include restricted, stereotyped or repetitive interests, and experiencing more difficulty with change than other children of a similar age.
ASD is different for every child who has it. The word 'spectrum' refers to the wide range of differences children with ASD can have. These differences can vary with age and can also vary over time in a child. ASD related differences are sometimes seen in the toddler years but they may not be as obvious until social demands exceed a child's abilities.
International figures suggest that about 1 in 100 children have ASD. It is about 4 times more common in boys than girls.
It might seem like there are more children with ASD now than in the past. This is probably because of better recognition of ASD than in the past. It could also be because of changes in how ASD is diagnosed.
ASD occurs in children and adults. ASD is usually diagnosed in childhood, but sometimes a diagnosis is not made until the teenage years or adulthood.
We don't know exactly what causes ASD but it is likely to be a combination of factors. Children with ASD are more likely to have a family member with ASD than those who don't. This suggests genetic factors play a part. Some children will have a rare medical condition that may be associated with ASD.
Extensive research shows there is no evidence that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism. For more information about this, see the external links and downloads below.
A young child with ASD might have some or all of the following difficulties.
In social interaction or play, a young child may:
In communication, a young child might:
A young child may:
A young child may have over- or under-sensitivity to sound, touch, movement, visual stimuli or smells.
A child in this age group might have some or all of the following difficulties, as well as the features described for younger children.
In social interaction or play they might:
In communication they might:
A child in this age group might:
A child in this age group may have over- or under-sensitivity to sound, touch, movement, visual stimuli, pain or smells. The may also have unusual movements.
Signs of ASD are usually more subtle in this age group. Older children and adolescents with ASD have difficulty thinking in an abstract manner and often develop a growing awareness of their social difficulties as peer relationships become more complex. Without appropriate support and understanding, they may become the victims of bullying or develop anxiety or depression, particularly at times of stress (social or academic) or change (for example, leaving school).
You may be one of the first to notice signs of ASD in your child. Your child's teachers, Well Child nurse or family doctor may also raise concerns about your child's development. Your Well Child nurse checks your child's growth and development at all Well Child visits. You and your Well Child nurse can discuss any concerns you have about your child's development and behaviour.
You know your child best. Get a second opinion if you remain concerned.
If you have concerns about your child's development or behaviour, you could talk to:
You know your child best. Get a second opinion if you remain concerned.
If there are concerns that your child might have ASD, one of the professionals listed in the section above may suggest an appointment with a health professional with training and experience in ASD. The health professional could be a paediatrician, child and adolescent psychiatrist, or a psychologist. A developmental coordinator may also be a member of the team looking after your child.
To accurately identify whether or not your child has ASD, the health professional will usually:
There is no single test to diagnose ASD. The diagnosis is best made after your health professional has collected a range of information and this process may take more than one appointment.
Children with ASD have difficulties in all settings of their lives (such as home, and day care or school) but their difficulties may be more obvious in one setting. It is the extent and impact the difficulties are having on day to day functioning that is important. Your health professional will check that your child's symptoms are not caused by other problems such as hearing or learning problems, developmental delay, or another rare condition.
"People who know the details about my autism are usually more comfortable dealing with me. Also, the more information my teachers have, the more ideas they have to help me learn".
There is no cure for ASD but providing the right support can significantly change your child's learning and their relationships.
If your child has ASD, there are services and financial support available for you and your child.
See the disability support section [1].
Each district health board (DHB) has a developmental coordinator who is involved with children having an assessment for ASD. Your developmental coordinator may be able to give you information about support available for children and families with ASD in your area.
There are no medicines to cure ASD.
Children with ASD can develop psychological problems such as anxiety, ADHD, depression or psychosis or medical problems such as epilepsy. These problems may benefit from treatment with medicine. A paediatrician or child psychiatrist usually prescribes this medicine to begin with, but your family doctor can often continue prescribing it later on.
All parents want to provide the best opportunities for their child with ASD. There is a lot of information on the internet about a range of treatments for children with ASD. Much of this information is based on individual stories (anecdotes). If you are considering this kind of treatment for your child, talk to your child's paediatrician or psychiatrist first. You could also check Complementary and alternative medicine: General advice for parents [2].
Ministries of Health and Education. 2016. New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline (2nd edn). Wellington: Ministry of Health. http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/new-zealand-autism-spectrum-disorder-guideline [3] [Accessed 29/11/16]
The 2 quotes from people with ASD are reproduced from the New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline (2nd edn) [3], as allowed by the Guideline's copyright policy. The quotes are copyright New Zealand Ministries of Health and Education.
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This page last reviewed 26 September 2017.
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Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/disability-support
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-general-advice-parents
[3] http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/new-zealand-autism-spectrum-disorder-guideline
[4] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1961
[5] http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/nz-asd-guideline-summary-aug16-v3.pdf
[6] http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/disability-services/disability-projects/autism-spectrum-disorder-guideline/asd-publications
[7] http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/disability-services/disability-projects/autism-spectrum-disorder-guideline/living-guideline-group-keeping-asd-guideline-date
[8] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1962
[9] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1963
[10] http://www.education.govt.nz/school/student-support/special-education/supporting-children-and-young-people-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-asd/
[11] http://www.education.govt.nz/school/student-support/special-education/supporting-children-and-young-people-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-asd/resources-for-working-with-students-who-have-asd/
[12] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1964
[13] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1966
[14] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1967
[15] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2200
[16] http://www.immune.org.nz/sites/default/files/ConcernAutismIbdMmrImac200908V02Final.pdf
[17] http://www.immune.org.nz/sites/default/files/resources/Written%20Resources/ConcernMmrAutismIac2019.pdf
[18] https://www.childcancer.org.nz
[19] http://www.plunket.org.nz/what-we-do/what-we-offer/plunketline/
[20] http://www.health.govt.nz/yourhealth-topics/health-care-services/healthline
[21] http://www.healthline.govt.nz
[22] http://www.paediatrics.org.nz/
[23] https://www.health.govt.nz/
[24] http://www.starship.org.nz/foundation
[25] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F38