Autism

Current estimates indicate that one in every 44 children in the United States has autism. Kingwood Psychiatry is a general practice in Kingwood and The Woodlands, Texas, treating children, teenagers, and adults. They diagnose and manage autism in people of all ages. Call the office or schedule an appointment online for an evaluation. Kingwood Psychiatry also provides telemedicine appointments.

What is autism?

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, socialization, and behavior. Because it’s a neurodevelopmental disorder, the symptoms are present during early childhood. However, it’s also a spectrum disorder, meaning the symptoms’ type and severity vary widely.

Autism affects people from all backgrounds. Researchers are still investigating what causes autism, but they theorize it could develop from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Kingwood Psychiatry is a general psychiatry practice providing care for all ages, including children, teenagers, and adults.

What are the symptoms of autism?

Autism symptoms cause difficulties with communication, socialization, and behaviors. Among the symptoms of autism are:

• Difficulty making eye contact
• Preferring to play by themselves than with others
• Having a hard time with back-and-forth conversations
• Not sharing interest or joy in activities
• Difficulty understanding someone else’s point of view
• Repeating certain behaviors or words
• Showing extreme interest in one topic
• Being more or less sensitive to noise or touch

People with autism also have the ability to learn things in great detail or excel in certain areas, like math and art.

Children are screened for autism by their primary care provider, with most symptoms noticeable by age two. However, people with less severe symptoms often go undiagnosed until their later childhood, teen, or adult years.

If you suspect you or your child has autism, schedule an evaluation at Kingwood Psychiatry.

How is autism diagnosed?

No single test diagnoses autism. However, a trained psychiatrist or psychologist can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the correct diagnosis. This evaluation can include a cognitive assessment, evaluation of language and communication skills, and observations of behavior.

If the patient is a child, your provider asks detailed questions about development, behavior, and school concerns. They could request lab work or a hearing test to rule out other conditions.

Kingwood Psychiatry might conduct psychological tests for teenagers and adults to rule out other mental health conditions like depression or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

How is autism managed?

Kingwood Psychiatry personalizes care for autism based on age and severity of symptoms. Treatment can include:

• Behavioral therapy
• Skill-building interventions
• Educational interventions
• Medication to manage symptoms

Treatment plans for autism are personalized and highly structured.

Call Kingwood Psychiatry today or schedule a consultation online to learn more about autism diagnosis and treatment.