Can Parenting Style Cause Autism?

Autism is often referred to as “autism spectrum disorder” because symptoms vary widely, with some people having a few mild symptoms while others are affected by severe and disabling symptoms. Autism spectrum disorder is classified in levels one through three, ranging from mild to severe impairment and need for support.

The main symptoms of autism spectrum disorder are categorized into two general areas: 

1. Social communication 
   • Difficulty in social interaction and communication 
   • No displayed interest in communicating
   • Difficulty with or lack of interaction with people who are close to them 
   • Difficulty learning to interact with others
   • Problems using and interpreting nonverbal behaviors such as eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, and body postures
   • Inability to speak or understand 
   • Lack of interest in developing friendships
   • Lack of understanding of social conventions or needs of others
   • Lack of interest in sharing interests, activities, or achievements (impaired joint attention)
   • Playing alone (in children) 
   • Babies may resist cuddling, avoid eye contact, or not spread arms in anticipation of being picked up
2. Restricted and repetitive behavior, activities, and interests
   • Insistence on specific and rigid routines or rituals 
   • Limited interests
   • Repetitive body movements, such as rocking, swaying, hand or finger flapping or twisting, dipping, or walking on tip-toe
   • Extreme sensitivity to sounds, tastes, or touch

Other characteristics of autism spectrum disorder may include: 

• Delayed or absent language skills
• Irregular cognitive skills
• Abnormally large head

The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is made with a medical history, physical exam, neurologic exam, and testing of a child's language, social, and cognitive skills. 

Many different types of professionals who are experts in autism may evaluate a child’s signs and symptoms to either diagnose autism spectrum disorder or to rule out other conditions that might cause similar symptoms.

Autism spectrum disorder cannot be cured, but a comprehensive treatment plan based upon a child's age, the severity of the symptoms, any underlying medical problems, and other individual factors can be created to help a child reach his or her full potential. 

Treatments for autism spectrum disorder include therapy, school support for children, and medications to treat other conditions that may accompany the disorder.

Treatments may include:

• Therapy 
  • Speech-language therapy 
  • Physical and occupational therapy for coordination
  • Social skills training to help with conversational skills and understanding of social cues
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety
  • Parent-mediated therapy
  • Joint attention therapy
  • Nutritional therapy
• School support 
  • Assistance with reading and writing
  • Help with organization
  • Educational and school-based therapies
• Medications 
  • Autism spectrum disorder is not directly treated with medications, but they may be used to treat anxiety, depression, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and seizure disorders that often accompany the disorder
    • Anti-anxiety medications 
    • Anticonvulsants 
    • Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclics 
    • Psychoactive or anti-psychotic medications 
    • Stimulants