What is autism?

Prepared by Aktif International Hospital Editorial Board .

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes 18 seconds

Table of Contents

What You Need to Know About Autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that usually appears in early childhood and affects a person’s social communication, behavior, and way of interacting with their environment. Although avoiding eye contact, not responding to one’s name, delayed speech development, or repetitive behaviors are among the symptoms of autism, these symptoms may not appear in the same way in every individual.

In some people, social communication difficulties may be more prominent, while in others, sensory sensitivities or behaviors related to routines may stand out. In addition, the causes of autism, its relationship with genetic predisposition, and different types such as atypical autism are also among the frequently asked topics.

In this article, we discuss the most commonly searched topics as a whole, starting from the basic features of autism to the symptoms that may be seen in children, babies, and adults, frequently asked questions about atypical autism, and possible causes.

Autism, which usually appears during childhood, is a broad spectrum in which different characteristics may be seen together rather than having one standard presentation.

In general, autism can be described as a neurodevelopmental difference that affects the way a person communicates socially, behaves, and perceives their environment. Since the spectrum is broad, symptoms may vary from person to person.

Individuals with autism may have difficulty making eye contact, show differences in communication, repeat certain behaviors, or have a strong attachment to routines. In some children, symptoms become noticeable at an early age, while in others, they may be mild and become noticeable later.

In terms of its effects, autism is not only felt through difficulties in communication. A person’s sensory sensitivities, learning style, play habits, and social interaction processes may also be affected. Early recognition is important for education and support processes to progress more effectively.

What are the symptoms of autism in children and babies?

Symptoms of autism in children and babies may appear in different ways depending on age. In some children, symptoms may be noticed from the first months, while in some cases, differences in social communication and behavior may become more apparent at later ages.

Autism symptoms in babies and children according to age can be listed as follows:

Symptoms of autism in a 6-month-old baby

During this period, symptoms are usually noticed as a lack of social response. Autism symptoms that may be observed in a 6-month-old baby may include:

Not responding to smiles
Avoiding eye contact
Showing limited response to the voices of the mother and father
Appearing uninterested in facial expressions
Showing unusual reactions to being held

Symptoms of autism at 1 year old

As the baby grows, communication and interaction skills become more noticeable. Therefore, autism symptoms at 1 year old are mostly noticed in the area of social communication:

Not turning to look when their name is called
Not pointing with their finger
Not performing simple imitation movements
Playing with toys in an unusual way
Being overly sensitive or unresponsive to sounds

Symptoms of autism at 2 years old

In children of this age, speech development and social behaviors can be evaluated more clearly compared to age 1. The following conditions may be seen among autism symptoms at 2 years old:

Delayed speech compared to peers
Repeating words or movements
Having difficulty playing with peers
Showing excessive reactions to changes in routine
Showing intense interest in spinning objects

Symptoms of autism at 3 years old

As the child grows older, their social environment expands, which may make communication differences more visible. The prominent autism symptoms at 3 years old can be listed as follows:

Having difficulty maintaining a mutual conversation
Not showing interest in pretend play
Preferring to spend time alone
Constantly repeating the same behaviors
Sensory sensitivities becoming more noticeable

Symptoms of autism at 4 years old

During the preschool period, social adaptation and communication skills attract more attention. Notable autism symptoms at 4 years old include:

Not wanting to participate in group games
Having limited eye contact
Having difficulty expressing emotions
Focusing intensely on certain topics
Showing excessive reactions when the daily routine is disrupted

It should be remembered that symptoms may not appear in the same way in every child. In some children, symptoms may be mild, while in others, they may be more noticeable. In suspected cases, it is important to consult a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

What are the symptoms of autism in adults?

Symptoms of autism in adults may appear differently compared to childhood. Difficulties in social communication, attachment to routines, and sensory sensitivities may become more noticeable during adulthood. The most common symptoms of autism in adults are as follows:

Having difficulty communicating in social environments
Avoiding eye contact or making limited eye contact
Having difficulty maintaining mutual conversation
Having difficulty understanding irony, metaphors, or implied speech
Feeling intense discomfort when daily routines change
Having excessive interest in certain topics and focusing on them for long periods
Showing sensitivity to stimuli such as loud noises, lights, or crowds
Having difficulty expressing emotions or understanding the emotions of others
Developing repetitive behaviors or habits
Preferring to spend time alone

Some adults may adapt to daily life by learning social rules later, with the help of people around them. Therefore, symptoms may not always be easily noticed from the outside. Expert evaluation may be necessary, especially for people who have had communication and social adaptation difficulties since childhood.

What causes autism?

Although the exact cause of autism is not fully known today, genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role together in its development. Research shows that autism does not develop due to a single cause, but may occur as a result of different factors affecting the brain’s developmental process coming together.

The most commonly emphasized factors among the causes of autism can be listed as follows:

Differences in brain development: Developmental differences may be seen in the areas of the brain related to communication, learning, and social interaction.
Some factors related to pregnancy: Advanced maternal and paternal age, premature birth, or some health problems during pregnancy may be associated with risk.
Environmental factors: Research continues on air pollution, intense exposure to certain chemicals, and prenatal environmental factors.

One of the most common misconceptions about autism is the belief that vaccines cause autism. However, scientific studies conducted so far have shown that there is no direct connection between vaccines and autism.

Autism is not a condition caused by parental attitude, the way a child is raised, or the social environment. Therefore, recognizing early signs and planning appropriate support processes is much more important.

Is autism genetic?

Genetic factors are thought to play an important role in the development of autism. Studies show that autism spectrum disorder may be seen more frequently among family members and may be associated with some genetic changes.

However, autism cannot be explained only by hereditary transmission. Genetic conditions thought to be associated with autism may include:

A family history of autism spectrum disorder
Some gene mutations or chromosomal differences
Genetic syndromes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders

However, having a genetic predisposition in the family does not always mean that autism will develop in the individual. Similarly, autism may also be seen in children with no family history of autism.

What is atypical autism?

Atypical autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that shows symptoms similar to autism spectrum disorder but does not fully meet the diagnostic criteria for classic autism. It may also be referred to by names such as temporary autism, mild autism, or pseudo-autism among the public.

Individuals with atypical autism may have social communication difficulties, behavioral differences, and repetitive movements. However, the symptoms may follow a different course compared to classic autism.

On the other hand, while symptoms may be noticed at an early age in some children, they may become more apparent during school age in others. Since the severity of symptoms varies from person to person, the evaluation process should be carried out by specialist physicians.

Today, atypical autism is generally evaluated within the scope of autism spectrum disorder rather than as a separate disease. Early diagnosis and appropriate educational support are important for the development of social communication skills.

Are the symptoms of atypical autism different from typical autism?

Although symptoms of atypical autism are similar to typical autism, they may show some differences in terms of severity, the way they appear, and how widespread they are. The main difference is that symptoms in atypical autism are usually milder or not all diagnostic criteria for autism are present.

In typical autism, social communication problems, significant delay in language development, and repetitive behaviors may appear more intensely. In atypical autism, development may be better in some areas or symptoms may be more limited.

Some signs that may distinguish atypical autism from typical autism can be listed as follows:

Language development being less affected
Social communication skills being partially preserved
Symptoms being noticed at a later age
Repetitive behaviors being seen at a milder level
Daily living skills developing more independently

For example, some children may make eye contact or their speech skills may develop appropriately for their age. However, they may have difficulty maintaining social relationships, establishing mutual communication, or showing behavioral flexibility.

Mild symptoms may make the diagnosis process more difficult. Therefore, especially when ongoing differences in social communication are observed, it is important for the condition to be evaluated by a specialist.

Is there a treatment for autism?

Today, there is no autism treatment method that completely and definitively eliminates this condition. This is because autism is considered a neurodevelopmental difference rather than a disease. However, with special education started at an early stage and support provided by the person’s social environment, significant progress can be achieved in making many symptoms less noticeable.

The education process in autism is planned according to the child’s needs. The aim is to improve communication skills, increase social adaptation, and support daily living skills.

Special education programs started at an early age in particular may make an important contribution to children’s development. The main methods used in autism are as follows:

Special education programs
Speech and language therapy
Behavioral therapies
Sensory integration activities
Social skills training
Family counseling and parent education

Some children may have additional conditions such as attention deficit, sleep problems, anxiety, or behavioral problems. In such cases, medication support may be recommended by a specialist doctor. However, medications do not eliminate autism; they may only help control some accompanying symptoms.

What are the signs of improvement in atypical autism?

Signs of improvement in atypical autism may be noticed as the child develops over time in the areas of communication, social interaction, and behavior. Education started at an early stage may lead to significant progress in some children. However, the developmental process does not progress in the same way in every child, and the level of symptoms may vary from person to person.

Signs of improvement in atypical autism may include:

Increased eye contact
Improved response to one’s name
Showing more interest in social communication
Starting to play with peers
Progress in speech and self-expression skills
Decrease in repetitive behaviors
Adapting more easily to changes in daily routine
Expressing emotions more comfortably
Improvement in imitation and instruction-following skills
Reduction in sensory sensitivities

What do Aktif International Hospital doctors say?

Although development may be noticed in a short time in some children, progress may be slower in others. An increase in the child’s desire to communicate and stronger social interaction are considered positive developments as indicators of progress.

Another important point here is what is meant by progress. In atypical autism, the goal is usually to reduce symptoms and strengthen the child’s daily living skills rather than complete recovery. Therefore, regular educational support, family involvement, and specialist follow-up are among the important parts of the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an autism test be done at home?

Some questionnaires applied at home may give an idea about whether a child has symptoms of autism. These tests, which especially help parents make observations, may be useful for early awareness. However, evaluations done at home alone are not sufficient to make a diagnosis.

The diagnosis of autism is made together with a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Therefore, when suspicious symptoms are observed, it is important to seek professional support.

Can autism develop later?

Autism is a congenital neurodevelopmental difference and is not considered a condition that develops later. However, in some children, symptoms may not be noticed during infancy and may become more apparent at later ages when social communication skills begin to develop.

Is speech delay a symptom of autism?

Speech delay is among the symptoms of autism. In particular, delayed speech compared to peers, a limited number of words, or a reduced desire to communicate may attract attention.

However, not every speech delay means autism. Hearing problems, developmental language disorders, or different developmental processes may also cause delayed speech. Therefore, evaluation should not be based only on speech skills, but should also include social communication and behavioral characteristics.

Which doctor should be consulted for an autism diagnosis?

For an autism diagnosis, a child and adolescent psychiatrist is usually consulted. During the diagnosis process, the child’s social communication skills, behaviors, developmental process, and language development are evaluated in detail.

When necessary, support may be received from different fields such as pediatric neurology, psychology, speech and language therapy, or special education. Early evaluation may help the education process be planned more quickly.

Is not responding to one’s name a definite sign of autism?

Not responding to one’s name is one of the conditions that may be seen among autism symptoms. Especially during infancy and early childhood, it may be noticeable if the child does not turn to look or gives a limited response when their name is called.

However, not responding to one’s name alone does not definitely mean autism. Hearing problems, attention deficit, or developmental differences may also lead to similar situations. If this symptom is accompanied by lack of eye contact, difficulty in communication, or repetitive behaviors, expert evaluation may be necessary.