Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), commonly referred to plainly as Autism, is a collective group of neurological disorders that affect the behavioral skills of the individual. Oftentimes, Autism is associated with a variety of behavioral problems. The symptoms of Autism can lead to developmental disabilities in social, behavioral, and communication skills.

Types of Autism

Before autism as a spectrum became widely recognized, mental health professionals categorized autism into four types:

• Autistic disorder

• Asperger’s syndrome

• Childhood disintegrative disorder

• Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)

While behavioral health professionals no longer use these terms, the categories can help families understand the many variations of autism.

Adults with ASD may have the following symptoms:

• Difficulty understanding sarcasm, teasing, and figures of speech.

• Trouble understanding social cues and interactions.

• Hyper- or hypo-sensitive to sensory input.

• Difficulty relating to the experiences of others.

• Insists on having inflexible routines.

• Speaks in a monotone voice, even in emotional situations.

• Easily talks about one or two very niche topics.

• Struggles to regulate emotions, especially in the face of unexpected change.

• Obsesses over obscure subjects that others find difficult to comprehend.

At MindShift Psychotherapy, we are highly trained to assess and treat individuals with the functional end of the Autism Spectrum. Treatments can consist of behavioral therapies and Neurofeedback.