Autism
Mental Health Care in Wilmington, DE
About 1 in 31 children in the United States have autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). At Integrated Health & Wellness Services, based in Wilmington, Delaware, Vida Adansi, LCP, Adekunle Gbadamosi, MD, and the team diagnose and manage ASD to help you or your child thrive. Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation by calling the Integrated Health & Wellness Services office or booking a visit online today.
Autism FAQ's
What is autism?
Autism, also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a disorder related to brain development. It affects behavior patterns, particularly those involving social interaction. ASD can cause communication impairment and sometimes interpersonal relationship challenges.
Fortunately, treatment at Integrated Health & Wellness Services can help you or your child better manage autism symptoms and flourish, reaping the benefits of a restored quality of life.
Which symptoms can autism cause?
Symptoms of ASD may include:
- Lack of eye contact
- Unique behavior patterns
- Developmental delays in children
- Awkward social interactions
- Speaking in a monotone or robotic voice
- No facial expressions
- Speech delays
- Difficulty starting a conversation or keeping it going
- Lack of emotion
- Few or no friends
- Being disruptive during social interactions
- Difficulty recognizing social cues
- Spinning, rocking, head banging, or hand flapping
- Preferring a strict routine
- Being uncoordinated or clumsy
- Light, touch, or sound sensitivity
- Having focused interests
- Preferring specific foods
However, autism signs and symptoms often vary from person to person and range in severity from mild to severe.
What may increase the risk of autism?
The cause isn’t known, but ASD risk factors might include:
- Family history of autism
- Genetic conditions
- Being born prematurely
- Having older biological parents
- Toxin exposure
- Being male
Boys are about four times as likely as girls to have autism.
How is ASD diagnosed?
The experts at Integrated Health & Wellness Services diagnose autism spectrum disorder by completing a psychiatric evaluation and other diagnostic tests. Your or your child’s specialist asks questions to learn more and detect or rule out autism and other mental health challenges.
How is autism treated?
The following may be part of an autism management treatment plan:
- Behavioral therapy
- Communication therapy
- Social skills training
- Educational therapy
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Medication management
- Stress management
- Lifestyle modifications
It’s often helpful for people with autism spectrum disorder to establish a regular routine, eat nutritious foods, stay active, and get plenty of sleep.
Follow up with the Integrated Health & Wellness Services team to manage symptoms and help you or your child flourish.
Schedule an in-person or virtual autism evaluation at Integrated Health & Wellness Services by calling the office or requesting a visit online today.