Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects millions of people around the world. It is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts a person’s ability to communicate, socialize and learn. However, when does it first start affecting an individual? Are children born with autism or do they develop it later on in life? Let’s take a closer look at this puzzling question.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a range[1] of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by difficulties in communication, social interaction, repetitive behaviors and interests. The term “spectrum” refers to the wide variety of symptoms and severity levels associated with this condition.

Developmental Aspect

The development term encompasses several stages from conception up until adulthood[2] which includes early childhood where language skills are honed upon among other aspects such as sensory capabilities being established complementing motor skills such as crawling before walking etc.

Signs of Autism

Diagnosing autism involves looking for certain behavioral patterns that are not typical for one’s age group or developmental stage. These can include:

• Lack of eye-to-eye contact
• Limited babbling/gesturing
• Difficulty forming sentences
• Repetitive actions/interests
• Lack of interest in imaginative play
• Dislike/difficulty transitioning activities

## Indicators That Can Predict Risk Factors

Studies have shown there may be some signs parents can look out for that could indicate their child has an increased risk for developing ASD:

• Delayed speech
• Reduced babbling/gestures/mimicking others’ behavior
• Not making socially relevant remarks
• Laughing crying without cause/quite frequently

While these indicators don’t necessarily mean your child will definitely develop ASD, they could give you an idea as to
possible areas where additional support may be necessary.

Early Signs

Some early[3] signs that can hint at an autism diagnosis include difficulty bonding with parents, lack of interest in toys or other children and trouble sleeping. Children with ASD may also display abnormal reactions to their environment such as difficulty transitioning between activities, sensitivity to certain textures/scents/sounds, repetitive movements/reactions, and a preference for non-verbal communication over verbal communication.

Preschoolers

Preschool-age children may exhibit some unique behaviors if they have autism spectrum disorder. For example:

• Difficulty separating from primary caretaker
• Unease when someone unfamiliar touches/hold/picks them up
• Repeating memorized content rather than processing what’s presented at the time
• In extreme cases physical outburst could occur

These behavioral patterns are often more pronounced because preschool is typically when socialization skills become crucially kids learn important social skills that facilitate positive peer interactions later on.

School Age Kids

Tablet technology has been proven useful for those who possess ASD [4]and could help one achieve educational needs.^1 Besides learning difficulties, school age kids usually struggle with tasks involving cooperation,which requires socializing among peers proving difficult given common miscommunication issues frequent in most individuals diagnosed.

Patterns Between Males And Females

Boys are several times more likely than girls to develop autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The exact reasons behind this gender disparity remain unclear but research data shows^2:

• Females receive less attention during examination.
• Boys exhibit differences ,on average regarding motor control.

These studies suggest potential hormonal/genetic explanations as well; however, no specific evidence links these factors directly yet.

There’s still so much we don’t know about this complex neurological condition. The today knowledge tells us that it might start during early infancy and progress throughout . That being said, catching signs early on gives one the opportunity to get necessary interventions/ treatment that facilitate interpersonal communication positively, which yields great results over time.

Conclusion

To sum up, autism spectrum disorder can start right from infancy with abnormal reactions to environments till difficult challenges faced at school. Boys are more likely than girls and though ASD may be difficult to diagnose early on, there are indicators that can alert caretakers as well importance upon fixing symptoms through available resources. It is important for parents/caretakers of children exhibiting signs indicative of this disease[5] seek immediate medical attention from healthcare professionals and avail themselves of available research resources in order obtain knowledge regarding management /significance aspects related to it.

[1] Refers: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
[2] Encompasses: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_development_(biology)
[3] Early: https://www.parents.com/baby/health/autism/signs-of-autism-in-toddlers/
[4] Proven Useful For those who possess ASD:https:/ www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-07/kift-aib070816.php
^1

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^2
The exact reasons behind this gender disparity remain unclear but studies suggest potential hormonal/genetic explanations as well; however.