Autism therapy and treatment is one of the primary specialties at both of our Seattle clinicThe Center for Family and Lifespan Development and The Center for Psychological Health . We are among the few clinics who treat autism throughout the lifespan, meaning we work with children, teens, and adults as they encounter difficult transition points in their life.
For example, a teenager with autism might excel in high-school and then struggle when they transition into college. Or, a young adult with autism could struggle to find employment, move out of their parent’s house, and essentially find their own independence.
Typically, we all encounter similar transition points in our life. Many of these major transitions arise as we move into adulthood, which is also where we see a lot of our patients struggle with their autism. However, these transition points also occur in children, and older adults. For adults, marriage or work-place challenges often occur at these times.
At The Center for Family and Lifespan Development and The Center for Psychological Health, we help patients with autism no matter where they’re at in their life journey. We empower our patients to face their challenges, build rewarding relationships, and live inspiring lives.
What is Autism?
Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder. That means autism affects the brain and how a person psychologically develops.
The rate of autism spectrum disorder has increased by ten times over the last 40 years. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 45 American children at the age of 8 have autism (CDC, 2015), and research suggests that autism is five times more common among males than females.
The CDC estimates that 1 out of 42 males and 1 out of 189 females are diagnosed with Autism in the United States alone.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Autism?
The following are some common signs and symptoms of those with autism. This is not, however, an exhaustive or definitive list of symptoms.
If you believe that you or someone you know may have an autism spectrum disorder, you’ll need to meet with a qualified mental healthcare professional for psychological testing and a proper diagnosis.
Autism Signs & Symptoms:
- Deficits in communication or social communication
- Delay or lack of spoken language
- Failure to maintain conversations unless they are talking about their own interests
- Difficulties in social interactions across multiple contexts
- Limited ability to make and maintain friendships
- Restricted patterns of behavior, or activities
- Narrowed interests or obsessive behaviors
- They may or may not have cognitive impairment (IQ).
It’s important to understand that most people on the Autism Spectrum do not have ALL of these symptoms. Most cases of autism are unique to the individual, so each person can experience a different constellation of symptoms.
Autism Treatment
Typically, Autism treatment will include various therapies, medication management, and academic/vocational supports. At The Center for Family and Lifespan Development and The Center for Psychological Health we are dedicated to providing individual and family support and making permanent changes in the lives of those we work with. We feel our job isn’t done until the person/family’s goals are reached. To begin the process we start with a complimentary phone consultation in order to identify your needs and to guide you to the appropriate treatment/service needed.
There are multiple needs for individuals and their families on the Autism Spectrum. For more specific information on Autism please click on one of the following pages.