{"id":1568,"date":"2018-11-30T14:55:48","date_gmt":"2018-11-30T20:55:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/last-drum.flywheelsites.com\/?page_id=1568"},"modified":"2025-09-23T09:51:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T14:51:26","slug":"is-it-autism","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/autism.org\/is-it-autism\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Autism?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>

ARI’s Statement on Acetaminophen Use and Leucovorin Supplementation\u00a0 (9-22-25)<\/a><\/p>\n

When you first noticed your loved one behaving in an unexpected way, you may have decided to wait and see. You may have thought, \u201cChildren go through phases. They\u2019ll grow out of it.\u201d But the behaviors persisted. Today you may find yourself wondering: “is it autism?”<\/p>\n

You may be worried, confused, or hopeful that you\u2019ll find a diagnosis for your child\u2019s symptoms. Whatever you\u2019re feeling, something brought you to this page. The best thing you can do is find the answer to your question. If it is autism, appropriate support can make a huge difference in your child\u2019s life.<\/p>\n<\/div>

What Is Autism?<\/h2>\n<\/div>

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder with symptoms that appear within the first three years of life. Most children with autism look like other kids but they act and interact in ways that feel different from the behaviors of other children. When interacting with others, they may respond in unexpected ways, or they may not interact at all.<\/p>\n

Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means that it appears in a range of forms and care needs. Some individuals develop typical capabilities in terms of speech and language – and develop exceptional skills – but struggle with lifelong social and behavioral differences. Others may have challenges in communication, sensory sensitivities, and behavioral issues, such as excessive tantrums, repetitive behaviors, aggression, and self-harm. The good news is that appropriate treatments can improve outcomes for many, if not most, people diagnosed with ASD.<\/p>\n<\/div>

How Common Is It?<\/h2><\/h3><\/div>
For many years, a diagnosis of autism was rare, occurring in just 1 child out of 2,000. However, since the mid-1980s, the rate of autism has increased dramatically around the world. In May 2025, the US Federal Centers for Disease Control announced that 1 in every 31 children in the United States<\/a> is affected by autism. Autism was classically understood to affect males more than females. However, contemporary research<\/a> suggests that females are equally affected and that this observation was due to gender biases in past assessments and research.<\/div>\n<\/div>

What are the Signs of Autism?<\/h2><\/h3><\/div>
Many signs can indicate that an individual may have autism. Keep in mind that every person is different. Some have several signs and symptoms, while others experience only a few.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Common early signs<\/a> include:<\/div>\n