How many people are affected by autism spectrum disorder?
ASD is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the United States with one in 150 children affected in 2000 and one in 36 affected in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
What are the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder?
No two individuals with ASD demonstrate the same symptoms, and they fall along a spectrum of severity. Every person with ASD has different skills, strengths, challenges and needs. Some may engage in physical aggression or self-injurious behavior. Others may struggle more with social interactions but display average or above-average communication skills.
When should a child be screened for autism?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children be screened for ASD at their well-child checkup when they’re 18 and 24 months old. Autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as two years old. If you or someone you know sees early signs and symptoms of ASD, encourage them to contact their pediatrician and request a screening.
Are there any treatments for autism spectrum disorder?
While there is no cure for ASD, early intervention and treatment can alleviate and minimize many of the symptoms. Many children with ASD benefit from applied behavior analysis (ABA), which helps children learn social and communication skills and lessen problematic behavior like aggression or self-harm. Numerous studies have shown that ABA can lead to improvements in intellectual functioning, language development, daily living skills and social functioning.
What other disorders or illnesses commonly affect someone with autism spectrum disorder?
Children with ASD may experience another disorder or illness along with ASD including anxiety, depression, intellectual disability, epilepsy, gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic disorders and sleep disorders. Because of the range of potential disorders or illnesses that may occur along with autism, it’s important for healthcare providers from different medical fields to work together to determine the best treatment plan. One method of therapy may not be sufficient to fully support the needs of an individual with ASD. Common providers involved in ASD treatment may include:
- Pediatrician or PCP
- Local school district
- State-based early intervention programs
- Applied behavior analysis provider
- Speech language pathologist, occupational therapist or physical therapist
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist or behavioral health professional
How can Lucet help?
Lucet is here to help members with ASD and their families by connecting them to providers, identifying appropriate community resources and offering support and education. The Autism Resource Program (ARP) is comprised of licensed social workers, family support coordinators and autism care managers who are board-certified behavior analysts. The ARP helps families find qualified health care providers to diagnose ASD.
Following diagnosis, the ARP connects families to applied behavior analysis (ABA) providers and offers education about community resources. The ARP can make internal referrals for behavioral health case management for members who are at risk for hospitalization or members who need behavioral health services outside of ABA. Since it’s common for someone with ASD to experience another disorder or illness along with it, the ARP can also identify members who may benefit from a referral to medical case management for complex medical issues, medical referrals or medication management.
Lucet understands that ASD is a multifaceted diagnosis, and one size does not fit all. Our experienced and compassionate team strives every day to connect each member with the right resources at the right time.
Anna Crumpecker is a senior care manager at Lucet.
