Autism is a spectrum condition, so some autistic people need more support than others. Having one autistic family member can affect the entire family.
Autism is a complex lifelong disability related to the development of the brain.
Symptoms may be detected in early childhood, but autism is often not diagnosed until much later. The main symptoms of autism are:
- Difficulties in social communication and social interaction
- Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities
People who are autistic often also experience sensory difficulties, such as increased or decreased sensitivity to light, sound, color, smell, taste or touch.
Specialized care: Children’s developmental health at Sanford Health
How common is autism?
One in 36 U.S. children has an autism spectrum disorder. Worldwide, about 1 in 100 people are autistic.
Autism occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. It is diagnosed more than four times more often among boys than among girls.
While mild cases make up the majority of autism diagnoses, “profound” autism affects about 27% of American children with the developmental disability, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported. The CDC broke down that definition statistically for the first time in 2023.
Children who are profoundly autistic are nonverbal, minimally verbal or have an IQ of less than 50, according to the report in the journal Public Health Reports.
The importance of support
Parents of an autistic child must have a good support system in place. This will help your child cope with the unique aspects of their disability. It will also help you learn how to manage your feelings when faced with the challenges of raising a child who is autistic.
Pay special attention to the needs of other children in the family. Sometimes siblings’ needs get lost when so much attention is needed by the autistic child. Spend one-on-one time with your other children. Look for sibling support groups that can provide a safe place for them to talk and share their feelings and fears.
Part of this support will come from the health care team that is treating your child and educating you as a parent. They may recommend interventions such as speech therapy to improve communication and social skills, while making well-being and quality of life better for both autistic people and their caregivers.
While some autistic people can live independently, others have severe disabilities and require lifelong care and support, the World Health Organization says.
Additionally, autistic people can face stigma for their differences. Along with individual autism care, the WHO promotes community-wide accommodations to make living, learning and working environments more accessible and inclusive.
Autism support groups
Parents of autistic children and people on the autism spectrum themselves benefit from a strong support network. You may find the following support groups helpful:
- Autism Speaks. This organization provides support and advocacy for autistic people and their families.
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network. This organization, run by and for autistic people, provides policy and legal advocacy, educational resources, and leadership training for autistic self-advocates.
- GRASP (Global and Regional Autism Spectrum Partnership). This autistic-led group provides community outreach, online support, education, and advocacy for teens and adults on the autism spectrum. Membership is free.
Learn more
- Autism and ADHD: How to know if your child should be tested
- Kids with big emotions? Reach for these coping skills
- Diagnosing, managing a child’s developmental disabilities
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Posted In Behavioral Health, Brain & Spine, Children's, Family Medicine, Inclusion at Sanford, Parenting
