What it means
A developmental condition that begins in early childhood. People with autism may find social give-and-take, eye contact and reading others' feelings hard, and may have repeated movements or routines, strong focused interests, and over- or under-sensitivity to sound, light or touch. It is called a spectrum because the needs range widely, from people who live fully on their own to people who need a lot of support. Signs are often seen by age 2.
For the nurse
Keep routines the same, prepare the person for each step in plain words or pictures, reduce noise and light, and ask the family what calms the person. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises autism screening at the 18- and 24-month checkups.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | ASD (spell it out in notes: ASD also stands for atrial septal defect) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | trastorno del espectro autista |
| Also written | autism, autistic disorder, autism spectrum disorders |
Related terms
perception
The brain's way of taking in and making sense of what the senses detect; also a person's own view or understanding of something.
cognitive
Having to do with thinking: knowing, remembering, understanding, judging and solving problems.