Take our Free Online Autism Test and Learn about Autistic Symptoms

by Molly Shaw Wilson MS OTR/L BCP February 20, 2020 1 Comment

Take our free online autism test

Autism is a developmental disability that is characterized by challenges with social skills, communication, and behavior. It is a term that refers to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a group of subtypes of conditions including Asperger Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Autistic Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (identified by the American Psychiatric Association).

According to numbers published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in 2018, approximately 1 in 59 children in the United States are diagnosed with autism. This statistic represents a 15% increase in autism prevalence as compared to numbers from 2016. While boys are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed as compared to girls, there is progress in identifying the condition in females, who do not always fit the stereotypical picture of autism that boys may.

While we do not know specifically what causes autism, science has narrowed down some of the risk factors, both genetic and environmental (non-genetic). Autism tends to run in families, and there are risk factors such as parental age, space between pregnancies, and some pregnancy/birth complications. There is no evidence that vaccines cause autism.

What are the symptoms of autism?

Signs and symptoms of autism are typically present before age 3, with some of the related developmental delays emerging by 18 months. Pediatricians often screen for developmental delays during well-child visits, but it is important for parents and caregivers to voice any concerns for development to their child’s doctor and get a referral for a specialist when necessary.

Child with autism

Young children with autism often present with language and communication delays by age 2. Some may begin to develop language and then show regression, losing their ability to talk. Sensory difficulties are persistent with autism, a child may show extreme hypersensitivity to sights, noise, and touch; or be sensory seeking – needing to move, crash, jump and completely experience all sensory opportunities in their environment.

Babies with social deficits may not show joint attention – the ability to sit with a parent or caregiver to share something – a book, a toy or experience. They often struggle with pointing, responding to their name and making eye contact. Their play may look different – children with autism often struggle to interact with others and prefer to play alone. The way they interact with their world may look strange to others, lining up toys, focusing on small parts of objects, spinning or flicking things near their face. Toddlers with autism often struggle with eating and sleeping and completing every routine.

While the signs and symptoms of autism vary from child to child, these indicators do follow some general trends. To be given the diagnosis of autism, the following diagnostic criteria must be met in all three areas.

  • Persistent deficits in social interaction
  • Deficits in communication, symptoms often present before age 3
  • Restricted repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities (in 2 or more of the following):
    • Repetitive or stereotyped motor movements, use of objects or speech
    • Insistence on sameness, inflexibility with routines, ritualistic patterns of behavior
    • Restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus
    • Hyper or hyporeactivity to sensory input

    At this time, there isn’t any cure or remedy for autism. Research shows that early intervention is key. There are supports and services for children to help them towards achieving developmental milestones.

    Through Early Interventions programs (birth to 3) and school-based services under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), children and their families can get treatment for autism.

    Free Online Assessment

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    Remember this test is not an official assessment, but a tool to help you determine if an official assessment would be useful.

    Molly Shaw Wilson MS OTR/L BCP
    Molly Shaw Wilson MS OTR/L BCP

    Molly Shaw Wilson MS OTR/L BCP is a board-certified pediatric occupational therapist with 16 years experience. She owns a private practice and provides service in homes, community and school settings, as well as her outpatient sensory clinic.

    Molly enjoys working with young children and their families, focusing on parent-child interactions and home routines. She is a regular contributor to a parenting blog about typical development. Her professional interests have stemmed from her certificate work in assistive technology, hippotherapy practice, and consultation to a nature-based program in New Hampshire.

    To find out more about Molly, please visit her website at www.trainingwheelsnh.com


    1 Response

    Amanda K Rogers
    Amanda K Rogers

    May 28, 2020

    Why is it that this similar article on an online ADHD screening test(https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/adhd-online-test) acknowledges that an adult may be exploring the possibility that they themselves might have ADHD, but this article and test do not acknowledge that an adult may be exploring the possibility that they are autistic? That article includes the reader and their other loved ones besides their children. This one is laser-focused on “could your child be autistic?” as if the adult reader couldn’t possibly be investigating their own neurotype instead or alongside that of their child.

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