Medicine Management
As you age, medicine management issues can arise, including keeping medicine organized and managing side effects.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Developmental condition that impacts social interaction and communication
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental condition that impacts how a person communicates, behaves, interacts with others and learns.
It affects one in 68 children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is more common in boys. It lasts a lifetime.
In the past, groups of autistic symptoms were given specific names: Asperger’s syndrome, autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder. Now, all types of symptom severity fall under the autism spectrum disorder label.
High-functioning adults undiagnosed earlier in life often seek help in adulthood. Children with ASD symptoms may not receive a diagnosis until the early teenage years. Such situations can lead to behavioral issues and feelings of anger, anxiety and depression because they have difficulty understanding their world. Indiana University Health professionals treat autism spectrum disorders at all stages of life.
Signs and Symptoms of Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder impacts the structure and function of the brain and nervous system. However, autism affects different people in different ways, covering a range of similar features. You may see symptoms between the ages of 12 and 18 months but we diagnose most children around age 3. Sometimes children regress and stop using language, social and playing skills he or she had already learned.
Your child may show these early signs of ASD:
- Problems making eye contact
- Not responding when his or her name is called
- Poor pretend play and imitation skills
- Problems with nonverbal communication
Older children and adults with autism spectrum disorder may show symptoms including:
- Difficulty comprehending figures of speech
- Difficulty comprehending facial expressions
- Using speech that doesn’t match emotions
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Specific, narrow, odd interests
- Repetitive behaviors
Diagnosis
In the past, groups of autistic symptoms were given specific names: Asperger’s syndrome, autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder. Now, all types of symptom severity fall under the autism spectrum disorder label.
High-functioning adults undiagnosed earlier in life often seek help in adulthood. Children with ASD symptoms may not receive a diagnosis until the early teenage years. Such situations can lead to behavioral issues and feelings of anger, anxiety and depression because they have difficulty understanding their world. Indiana University Health professionals treat autism spectrum disorders at all stages of life.
Signs and Symptoms of Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder impacts the structure and function of the brain and nervous system. However, autism affects different people in different ways, covering a range of similar features. You may see symptoms between the ages of 12 and 18 months but we diagnose most children around age 3. Sometimes children regress and stop using language, social and playing skills he or she had already learned.
Your child may show these early signs of ASD:
- Problems making eye contact
- Not responding when his or her name is called
- Poor pretend play and imitation skills
- Problems with nonverbal communication
Older children and adults with autism spectrum disorder may show symptoms including:
- Difficulty comprehending figures of speech
- Difficulty comprehending facial expressions
- Using speech that doesn’t match emotions
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Specific, narrow, odd interests
- Repetitive behaviors
Our Expertise
Our ties to Indiana University School of Medicine and Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health let us provide the most current and accurate information to you.
We are also leading mental health experts in new research. Our work with four other research units in pediatric psychopharmacology led to U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of a drug to treat irritability associated with autism.
Our connection with HANDS in Autism extends our reach into the community, by delivering training and services to school and medical staff, caregivers and individuals on the autism spectrum.
At IU Health, our autism spectrum disorder experts work with you and/or your child to:
- Lessen the challenging effects of ASD
- Seek the best school programs for success
- Provide psychiatric and psychological counseling
- Find the best medicines and therapies for achieving specific goals
- Fully function at school, at home and in the community
- Connect you with parent advocates and other support services
- Build social and communication skills to improve interactions with others
We do this with:
- Early intervention
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Sensory integration therapy
- Joint attention therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Social skills training
- Parent training
- Parent advocates
- Medicines
- Medication management
- School-based therapies
Treatment
Our Expertise
Our ties to Indiana University School of Medicine and Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health let us provide the most current and accurate information to you.
We are also leading mental health experts in new research. Our work with four other research units in pediatric psychopharmacology led to U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of a drug to treat irritability associated with autism.
Our connection with HANDS in Autism extends our reach into the community, by delivering training and services to school and medical staff, caregivers and individuals on the autism spectrum.
At IU Health, our autism spectrum disorder experts work with you and/or your child to:
- Lessen the challenging effects of ASD
- Seek the best school programs for success
- Provide psychiatric and psychological counseling
- Find the best medicines and therapies for achieving specific goals
- Fully function at school, at home and in the community
- Connect you with parent advocates and other support services
- Build social and communication skills to improve interactions with others
We do this with:
- Early intervention
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Sensory integration therapy
- Joint attention therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Social skills training
- Parent training
- Parent advocates
- Medicines
- Medication management
- School-based therapies
HANDS in Autism
This interdisciplinary training and resource center provides a full continuum of learning and service opportunities all designed to improve capacity for understanding and applying strategies to individuals with a range of intellectual and functional abilities.
Autism Speaks
Founded by the grandparents of a child with autism, this international organization funds research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism. It also advocates for individuals and families with autism, and increases public awareness of autism spectrum disorders.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
This division of the National Institutes of Health offers extensive information on autism spectrum disorders, including current clinical trials.
Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs
This statewide group provides services and support to families of children with disabilities, including autism. Many families work with IN*SOURCE to find a parent advocate.
Resources
HANDS in Autism
This interdisciplinary training and resource center provides a full continuum of learning and service opportunities all designed to improve capacity for understanding and applying strategies to individuals with a range of intellectual and functional abilities.
Autism Speaks
Founded by the grandparents of a child with autism, this international organization funds research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism. It also advocates for individuals and families with autism, and increases public awareness of autism spectrum disorders.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
This division of the National Institutes of Health offers extensive information on autism spectrum disorders, including current clinical trials.
Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs
This statewide group provides services and support to families of children with disabilities, including autism. Many families work with IN*SOURCE to find a parent advocate.
