Is My Child Autistic? Signs of ASD and How to Get Help

Have you ever wondered why your child struggles with making friends? Maybe teachers have brought up concerns about your child’s social development? Perhaps your child gets really stuck on a particular interest, flaps their hands or rocks back and forth when excited or anxious, or frequently throws tantrums when transitioning to new activities?

So, what could explain these kinds of behavioral and social challenges for a child? One possibility is that the child meets criteria for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children with ASD typically have difficulties with social development, such as making and keeping friends, understanding social cues, or using gestures or eye contact in social communication. Behavioral features are another core part of ASD; these can include repetitive motor movements or speech, inflexible behavior or thoughts, fixated interests, and/or intense sensory sensitivities.

If your child has several of these social and behavioral issues that get in the way of making friends, learning, and/or behaving well, a neuropsychological or psychodiagnostic evaluation could be helpful. These evaluations can help you better understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses and provide a roadmap for how to help your child grow and develop. They can also clarify whether your child’s behaviors are consistent with ASD and/or another condition (e.g., anxiety), related to environmental factors (e.g., adverse childhood experiences), and/or due to your child’s unique personality.

If a child is diagnosed with ASD, there are many interventions that can support their development. Examples include social skills groups, therapies (e.g., speech-language or occupational), and/or behavioral interventions (e.g., applied behavior analysis). Additional interventions and accommodations at school can be achieved via Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 Plans, or Service Plans. An evaluation can provide guidance on what type of support would be most helpful for your child.

While you may be struggling with your child’s behavior and development, know that you are not alone and support is available. You can seek an evaluation to feel more confident about a path forward and connect your child with the right help so they can reach their potential.