Symptoms: Severity Levels of ASD

 

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What are the Symptoms of ASD and Levels of Severity?

   Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has diverse levels of severity and has a wide variety of symptoms. This is why the disorder is referred to as a spectrum rather than one specific occurrence that can only happen in one specific way.

    ASD symptoms are most commonly seen at aged 2 to 3 years old. Symptoms that are in the low to mild range of autism often go under the radar. This may cause a diagnosis late in childhood or adulthood (symptoms were likely overlooked). There are unique behavior patterns depending on whether symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe. A mix of symptoms is present as autism is a spectrum. Such as some have lower intelligence, and some have usual to high intelligence with troubles with communication ("Autism Spectrum Disorder").

    Social communication and/or interaction symptoms may include the following: Poor eye contact from the evaluated person. A lack of expression is possible. The person does not speak, experiences a delay, or loses the ability to say words and/or sentences that they were able to say prior. Some may experience an unusual tone or rhythm in speech. Repeated phrases and/or words without the knowledge of proper usage and/or meaning. Simple questions and/or directions don't seem to be understood by the patient. There is a lack of emotional expression/feelings shown, and seemingly a lack of awareness of others' feelings. They don't understand body language ("Autism Spectrum Disorder").

    Patterns of behavior have symptoms as listed: Same moments, such as rocking, spinning, and hand-flapping. Activities where they could harm themselves, for example, biting or head-banging. They get upset if routines or rituals they have created are disrupted. They may be clumsy and uncoordinated and/or move in patterns that are not typical, such as toe walking. The patient has unusual body language. Intense fascination may occur due to the observation of details in an object. There is a usual focus on an object and an activity. A preference for specific foods due to certain textures ("Autism Spectrum Disorder").

    There are five senses, and those who have ASD could have sensory processing difficulties. These senses are seeing, smelling, tasting, hearing, and touching. Children on the spectrum may overreact to stimuli from the environment, while others may struggle to notice or respond to these stimuli. For example, an autistic child may hold his or her hands over their ears and scream as if the child were in pain as a reaction to loud noises such as a fire alarm. An airplane may pass overhead an autistic child, and they would stop and notice it before others ("Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration").

    To wrap up everything stated previously, the levels of one, two, and three, also known as mild, moderate, and severe, depend on the impairment of day-to-day life. This is based on social communication impairment and restricted, repetitive patterns in the patient's behavior ("The Formal Diagnostic Criteria for Autism").