Autism Spectrum Disorders

offered in Encino and Pasadena, CA

Autism Spectrum Disorders services offered in Encino and Pasadena, CA

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects about 1 in 36 American children. Adelpha Psychiatric Group, the leading psychiatric care team in the Encino and Pasadena, California, area, provides expert mental health support to people and families living with ASD, including help with commonly co-occurring disorders like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Call the office nearest you now or request an appointment using the online booking tool.

Autism Spectrum Disorders Q & A

What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?

ASD is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that cause differences in communication, interests, and behavior. People with autism spectrum disorder experience some functional impairment, but its effects can vary widely between individuals.

Autism spectrum disorder is an umbrella term encompassing disorders that were once classified separately, including autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder–not otherwise specified (PDD–NOS).

The most recent data shows that around 1 in 36 American children has ASD, affecting boys about four times as often as girls.

What are the signs of autism spectrum disorder?

ASD symptoms are usually visible by age 2 or 3, but it might not be evident until a child starts school. Some common symptoms of ASD in babies and children are:

Avoiding eye contact
Not engaging in two-person games like peek-a-boo
Delayed speech
Loss of speech
Narrowed interests
Difficulty understanding emotions (their own and others)
Unusually stilted speech
Difficulty making friends or maintaining friendships
Interpreting abstract concepts in a literal way
Inflexibility
Repetitive movements like hand-flapping and rocking back and forth
Being unusually sensitive to sensory stimulation, like loud noise or certain textures
Unusual sensory-stimulating behaviors, like sniffing or licking objects repeatedly
Ordering objects like toys in unusual ways
Serious difficulty dealing with change
Hyperfocus on obscure topics
Not understanding why others don’t share their niche interests

Because ASD is a spectrum, every person with autism will display very different symptoms.

Symptoms can intensify with age. For example, an adult with autism might give up on trying to make and keep friends after years of trying, further isolating themselves. Or adults with autism might have difficulty at work because they don’t understand or care about office politics.

ASD and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are often similar, and the two disorders do coincide.

Because diagnosis of ASD and comorbid (co-occurring) conditions can be complicated, it’s necessary to work with leading ASD experts like the doctors at Adelpha Psychiatric Group.

How is autism spectrum disorder treated?

There’s no cure for autism yet, but many ways exist to improve quality of life and everyday function. Some treatment approaches for ASD include speech therapy, occupational therapy, working with a child’s school, and parent education.

About 91% of children and 31% of young adults who have ASD have one or more co-occurring psychiatric disorders, so treating those disorders is an essential part of ASD treatment as a whole.

Adelpha Psychiatric Group offers medication and psychotherapy to help patients with ASD manage disorders like depression, anxiety, and ADHD.

Call Adelpha Psychiatric Group today or request an appointment online for ASD diagnosis and treatment.