Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

Honey Bees Roofing & Solar is passionate about our community and wants to help everyone with understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that occurs in about 1 in 54 Americans. Up until 2013, there were five different autism spectrum disorders. However, many of these classifications shared symptoms and conditions. The American Psychiatric Association made things easier by making one umbrella term for all of the types of autism, which encompasses the Autism Spectrum Disorder we know today. ASD is currently characterized as “persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts”, as well as “restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.”

Social Interaction

Social “norms” can be difficult to achieve for someone with ASD. Using hand gestures, body language, and facial expressions that may be inappropriate to the current situation is a symptom of autism spectrum disorder. Understanding social cues can also be an issue for someone with ASD. Someone with ASD might also be resistant to being touched. This can all add up to difficulty making friends with people of the same age. The difficulty in social interaction can also make someone less likely to try and be social.  That leads to a preference for solitude.

Patterns of Behavior

Those with autism spectrum disorder may have consistent, specific behaviors. Constantly moving, or repetitive body movements can be a symptom of ASD. Things like always spinning, rocking, or hand flapping. Becoming obsessively attached to unusual objects, like keys, rubber bands, or light switches, can also be a symptom. Being interested in moving pieces or specific parts of toys is fairly common for ASD. For example, entertaining themselves by playing with a toy car’s wheels, instead of the whole car. Some people with autism spectrum disorder may react extremely to different sensory stimulation. Things like specific feeling fabrics, loud noises, or indifference to pain and temperature. Also, the need for a strong, regular routine and order may be an indication.

Differences in Speech

Struggling with speech and language is common for those with ASD. Some children with autism spectrum disorder may have a delay in learning to speak compared to other children. Difficulty communicating what they need or want, or starting and keeping a conversation can be frequent. People with ASD may also speak in abnormal pitch, cadence, or tone of voice. They may also repeat words or phrases without any intention of communicating with them. Autism spectrum disorder can make it difficult to understand simple statements. It can also create difficulty in understanding humor, irony, or sarcasm by taking things at face value.

Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder and understanding autism spectrum disorder may seem difficult, but it is a worthwhile journey. If you want to contact a local parent with a child that has been diagnosed with ASD in the Burleson area, contact our founder Daniel at daniel@honeybeesroofing.com. He’ll be glad to talk with you about your situation and share information that may help you and your family.