Is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Considered a Learning Disability?

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders that often manifest in early childhood and last throughout a person's life. An estimated 164,000 Australians, or roughly 1 in 150, were autistic in 2015. About 43,500 people with autism used National Disability Agreement disability assistance services in 2014-2015. (NDA).

ASD does not fall within the category of learning disabilities. It does, however, have an impact on learning and can sometimes manifest in ways that are similar to learning impairments. Most children with autism spectrum disorder are covered by insurance and can receive services.

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What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental impairment that impacts a person's relationships, actions, and capacity to understand and respond to their surroundings. There is currently no known treatment for this illness, and it is considered permanent.

Conditions that fall under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also include Asperger's syndrome and PDD-NOS (PDD-NOS). Communication and social interaction difficulties, as well as confined, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities, are the most prominent symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

People on the autism spectrum are all unique. Every person has their own unique pattern and level of intensity of developmental traits. A person with ASD may have delayed or normal development depending on the area.

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit a wide variety of symptoms and varying degrees of severity, which can be conceptualised as a spectrum.

How Do We Describe Autism?

Autism is a developmental disorder that alters how a person perceives and processes information. It is a disability that a person is born with and will have until they die. There is no such thing as a "typical" autistic individual. This is why we talk about the autistic spectrum.

Signs and Symptoms of Autism

The onset of autistic symptoms can be sudden or gradual, depending on the individual, but the disorder is often diagnosed by the age of three, and often much earlier. A child with autism does not show typical responses to social interactions, such as cooing, smiling, or making eye contact with other people. A baby with autism, on the other hand, may demonstrate a severe lack of social skills and may start to engage in restricted, repetitive behaviours.

The severity of autism in any one child and the effectiveness of early intervention in helping them cope with it are two separate things. Some people with autism are completely unable to interact socially and are stuck in a cycle of repetitive motions like rocking or flapping their hands. Nonetheless, they engage with others in peculiar ways and have narrow obsessions at times.

Both faulty synaptic development in the brain and a genetic aberration have been proposed as potential causes of autism. Heavy metal or pesticide poisoning are two examples of external influences that have been suggested as potential causes.

While there is currently no cure for autism, early diagnosis and therapy can help keep symptoms under control.

Among the many behaviours linked to autism spectrum disorder are:

• Lack of language, language delay, or language abnormality
• play patterns that are both isolated and routine
• Flapping, toe walking, and other self-injury behaviours
• Obsessive or restricted behaviour
• Routines and rituals. A change in routine can cause significant stress and anxiety.
• Confusion, stress, anxiety, anger, and frustration tantrums
• Sensitivities to specific stimuli such as sounds, colours, tastes, smells, and textures

People with ASD may also have the following conditions:

• Speech and language difficulties
• Intellectual disability
• Sleep issues
• Difficulty with attention and concentration
• Epilepsy
• Anxiety and depression
• Poor fine and gross motor skills

Many people who have ASD over- or under-react to stimuli in one or more of the senses, respectively. Being overly sensitive to sensory inputs including sound, touch, taste, smell, and sight can be quite upsetting for those with autism spectrum disorders.

Some persons with ASD may be able to live independently, while others may require round-the-clock care and support due to the severity of their condition and any accompanying conditions.

Children with autism spectrum disorders frequently experience one or more of the following issues, even though they are not included in the diagnostic criteria for autism:

Sensory problems – Numerous kids with ASDs have atypical responses to sensory input. They may act deafeningly oblivious to those trying to communicate with them. However, there are moments when even the quietest noises might throw them off. When confronted with jarring sounds, such as a ringing phone, kids may cover their ears and make noises in an attempt to block them out. Autistic children often have heightened sensitivity to touch and texture. A simple pat on the back or the touch of a particular fabric could make someone uncomfortable.

Emotional difficulties – Young people on the autism spectrum may struggle to understand and express their feelings. Your child may, for example, suddenly start screaming, crying, or laughing uncontrollably. In times of high anxiety, he or she may act out by becoming destructive or even violent. Children on the spectrum may appear fearless in the face of actual risks like moving automobiles or great heights, but they may react violently to seemingly innocuous things like a plush animal, according to the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities.

Uneven cognitive abilities – Autism Spectrum Disorder affects people of all IQs. Children with ordinary to above average intelligence, however, frequently show signs of cognitive skill disparity. As could be expected, verbal abilities typically fall short of their nonverbal counterparts. In addition, children on the autism spectrum tend to excel in tasks that call for visual abilities or short-term memory, while those that require symbolic or abstract thinking provide more of a challenge.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact origins of autism spectrum disorder are unknown. We now know, however, that there are probably several causes for various ASD kinds. Environmental, biological, and genetic factors may all have a role in increasing a child's susceptibility to developing an autism spectrum disorder.

• Scientists generally agree that a person's genetic makeup is a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder.
• Children are more likely to also develop ASD if they have an autistic sibling.
• Asperger's syndrome is more common in people with particular genetic or chromosomal disorders, such as fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis.
• Prescription medications valproic acid and thalidomide have been linked to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) when used during pregnancy.
• Pregnancy, the newborn period, and the early years following birth have all been implicated as crucial times for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) development.
• A higher incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is shown among children born to parents in their later years.

To this day, ASD remains a major public health issue. Understanding the risk factors for ASD will help us learn more about the underlying causes, which is a goal shared by the CDC and the many affected families. As of right now, we are in the midst of conducting Study to Explore Early Development, one of the largest research ever conducted in the United States (SEED). Genetic, environmental, perinatal, and behavioural factors are only some of the many being investigated by SEED in the search for causes of autism spectrum disorder.

Diagnosis

It can be challenging to make a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) because there is no definitive medical test, such as a blood test, for this condition. In order to determine a diagnosis, doctors examine the child's behaviour and level of development.

There have been cases of ASD being diagnosed in children as early as 18 months. A professional diagnosis made by age 2 is generally accepted as accurate. However, for many youngsters, a definitive diagnosis is not made until they are considerably older. Without prompt intervention, children with ASD may suffer unnecessarily.

Treatment

As of right now, there is no treatment that can alleviate the symptoms of ASD. The development of a child can be helped, though, by receiving treatment early on. Children aged 0-3 years (36 months) can benefit greatly from early intervention interventions. The kid may get speech, occupational, or play therapy, among other services. As a result, if you suspect your child has ASD or another developmental disorder, it is crucial to consult your child's doctor as soon as possible.

Your kid may be eligible for early intervention treatment services even if he or she has not been formally diagnosed with an ASD. Children who are at risk for developmental delays before to the age of three (36 months) may be eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)external symbol. A state-wide system for early intervention provides these services. You may submit an assessment request here.

In addition, a formal diagnosis of ASD is not often necessary before a patient can receive treatment for specific symptoms, such as speech therapy for language impairments.

What are the Types of Autism Spectrum Disorders?

There are three types of autism spectrum disorders:

Autistic Disorder

This kind of autism is commonly referred to as "classic" autism. When most people think of autism, this is what comes to mind. Autistic people typically have difficulties communicating and interacting socially, as well as displaying some peculiar behaviours and interests. Many persons who have autism also have a cognitive impairment.

Asperger Syndrome

Asperger's syndrome is characterised by less severe autism characteristics. They may experience difficulty interacting with others and have peculiar habits and pursuits. But they typically don't have any linguistic or intellectual disabilities.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified

PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified) and related terms are used to describe cases like this. Atypical autism may be diagnosed in people who partially fit the criteria for autistic disorder or Asperger syndrome. These individuals often have fewer and milder symptoms than those with autism disorder. Possible only social and communication difficulties due to the symptoms.

Childhood Autism

In the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Impairment Listing Manual, also known as the "Blue Book," childhood autism is described in detail under Section 112.10. To receive disability benefits, a child must meet the criteria in both Paragraph A and Paragraph B.

Cognition refers to the mental operations involved in knowing, such as being aware, perceiving, reasoning, and judging.

To exchange and comprehend information back and forth between parties is the essence of communication. Age-appropriate testing for these skills can also be used to gauge a child's progress in language and communication skills.

The SSA defines social functioning as the capacity to interact successfully with people, including the ability to establish and maintain relationships, collaborate with others, and respond properly to those around you.

Adulthood Autism

Even though the criteria for a disability claim based on childhood Autism can be found in Section 112, there is currently no listing for a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder or Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (AS or PDD-NOS) in the SSA's manual of debilitating conditions. Consequently, it may be challenging to prove total disability and obtain disability benefits based on an AS or PDD-NOS diagnosis, as there are no precise criteria for approval.

This requires a medical diagnostic verifying the claimant's autism's severity and showing that the claimant (or claimant's representation) is unable to do basic tasks well enough to meet the SSA's criterion for gainful employment due to the afflicted condition.

Though satisfying the SSA's Blue Book listing requirements is the prefered path to disability payments, an Autistic person may be eligible for a vocational medical allowance in some circumstances.

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), self-care entails activities including eating, bathing, dressing, and using the restroom.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines the ability to sustain concentration, persistence, and pace as the capacity to keep one's attention on a task, to stick with that activity, and to keep one's pace consistent while working on that task.

What challenges are associated with autism?

Conditions include intellectual disability, epilepsy, gastrointestinal problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia, anxiety, and depression are frequently seen in people with autism.

The lack of acceptance, understanding, and support from those around them is a major cause of the difficulties autistic people face while interacting with the rest of society.

What Are Some Autism Misconceptions?

The truth is that many people with autism face challenges, but with the correct help, those with autism can have a wonderful quality of life.

The idea that autism is on a linear spectrum is another common fallacy. When looking at the strengths, communication, social interaction, leisure, and play of an autistic person, it can appear to be a constellation rather than a single trait.

Strengths and Interests

• Different people have different sets of abilities, but some common ones are logical or visual thinking, perseverance, an eye for detail, proficiency with technology, and an excellent memory for facts and statistics.
• Very strong focus on specific interest areas
• Deep interest in common topics such as Pokémon, sports, Disney, or trains, as well as more unusual topics such as air conditioners or bins
• Up to 20% of Autistic people have exceptional or above-average abilities in one or more areas, including reading, math, art, mechanics, music, memory, and so on.

Communications

• Communicate honestly and directly
• A dislike for or difficulty understanding small talk, sarcasm, or jokes
• Repeating words or phrases out of context
• Not using or comprehending gestures such as pointing
• Instead of spoken words, use sounds, signs, gestures, or pictures to communicate.
• Investing extra time in comprehending spoken information

Social Interactions

• Discomfort in difficult, complicated social situations
• They may prefer to play alone or alongside others rather than with them.
• The ability to focus without making eye contact
• Using or reacting to body language in a different way
• Non-autistic people frequently misinterpret social interactions.

Sensory 

• Constantly or more acutely aware of certain sensations (sounds, smells, tastes, touch etc.)
• If there are too many sensations at once, you may feel distressed or overwhelmed (loud noises, lots of touching, bright lights etc.)
• Working hard to avoid distress by covering ears, hiding in quiet places, and so on, in order to block out sensations
• Discomfort with touches such as clothing materials, tags, or light touch from others
• Smelling food and flicking fingers in front of lights to gain sensory experiences
• ignoring internal sensations such as hunger or pain

Thinking

• An uneven distribution of cognitive abilities
• The ability to concentrate on one thing for an extended period of time;
• Switching from one thing to another can be difficult.
• The ability to notice specific details, patterns, or changes that others do not.

Experiencing and Displaying Emotions

• An intense, sometimes overwhelming emotional bond with others
• Repetitive movements such as flapping hands or pacing around to express excitement or to relieve stress
• Delay in understanding and regulating emotions
• In some situations, it is difficult to understand how non-autistic people think. Non-autistic people, like autistic people, have difficulty understanding them.
• The autism spectrum should be viewed as a 'constellation' rather than a line.

The term "autism" is sometimes used interchangeably, however it actually refers to a range of illnesses that share key symptoms. Every person on the autism spectrum struggles with issues in the areas of social interaction, empathy, communication, and behavioural flexibility. However, the severity of an individual's impairment and the occurrence of particular symptoms varies widely. It is possible for the behaviours and talents of two children with the same diagnosis to look completely different from one another.

Let's pretend for a moment that you're a parent of a child who happens to be on the autistic spectrum. In this situation, you may come across a wide variety of words, such as high-functioning autism, atypical autism, autistic spectrum disorder, and pervasive developmental disability. There is a variety of these terminology, and doctors, therapists, and even other parents may use them differently, adding to the confusion.

No matter what professionals choose to label your child's autism spectrum disease as, the needs of your child as an individual are what matter the most. There is no way to know for sure what difficulties your child may face thanks to a diagnosis. Instead of worrying about labelling your child's issue, you should focus on finding a solution that works for them. A formal diagnosis is not required before seeking treatment for your child's symptoms.