During National Autism Awareness & Advocacy Month, the Northern Colorado Assessment Center team is taking some time to answer questions we hear frequently about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with ASD or you just want to learn more about ASD during this national awareness month, read our blogs and don’t hesitate to reach out to our Fort Collins psychologist and team.
The Basics of ASD
ASD occurs when an individual’s brain develops differently than what is typically expected. Because it’s a spectrum, there are wide variety of common symptoms associated with ASD, and each person will have a unique experience with this developmental condition. Like many of the specifics of ASD, the underlying cause is still unknown and requires further research to increase understanding to better serve and support the neurodiverse community. Assessment and diagnosis for ASD is a beneficial part of this process to better understand ASD and help individuals develop a clear image of their unique strengths as well as areas where they may benefit from specialized resources and support in order to be successful in achieving their personal, academic, and professional goals.
Some Symptoms of ASD
Earlier this month, we shared a blog about common screening and assessment tools for ASD. There are numerous screenings available for infants and children that are performed by pediatricians at various developmental milestones. While there are affective ASD assessment tools for adults, there are no specific screening tools geared toward adults. Instead, physicians rely on the adult to identify common symptoms of ASD and talk to them about the potential need for ASD assessment. If you’re wondering whether you may benefit from ASD assessment, consider some of the common symptoms of ASD below:
- Doesn’t make eye contact or feels uncomfortable making eye contact
- Doesn’t show expected facial expressions for the circumstances
- Struggles to give attention to peers or to the interests of peers
- Has difficulty identifying or discussing their emotions (i.e., alexithymia)
- Engages in repetitive movements or behaviors or repeats certain words or phrases
- Is able to focus on topics they find interesting but struggles to focus on topics that aren’t of interest
- Struggled to navigate change with resilience
- Feels bound by their own sets of rules or morals
- Is easily overwhelmed by sensory input (sight, sound, taste, smell, touch)
- May be extremely particular about what they eat
- May experience extreme or atypical emotional response, including mood instability, anxiety, lack of fear, or excessive fear
Interested in Learning More About ASD Testing?
Whether you’ve been referred to Northern Colorado Assessment Center after a physician performed a screening for ASD or you’ve noticed some of the most common symptoms of ASD, our psychologist and team are here to help. We offer customized assessment batteries for children and adults. If you’re interested in learning more about ASD testing at Northern Colorado Assessment Center, take a few moments to complete our secure contact form, call us at (970) 465-2977, or email admin@nocoassessmentcenter.com.
