By the way...

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Click the button below to catch-up first before diving deep into an Autism 101!

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the prevalence rate of Autism in Canada is around 1 in 66 children and youth, aged 5 to 17 years (PHAC, 2019). Boys are four times more likely to receive an autism diagnosis than girls. The globally reported prevalence varies substantially across studies, according to World Health Organization, although autism appears to be increasing (WHO, 2019). Possible explanations for the apparent increase include improved awareness, expansion of diagnostic criteria, better diagnostic tools, and improved reporting.

The characteristics and range of abilities of autistic individuals differ. Additionally, no two autistic people appear or behave alike. Alas, these characteristics are often grouped into three categories, as shown in the diagram below (Copeland, 2018), (MCCSS, 2020):

The level of support an autistic individual may require varies based on the number and type of characteristics, age at first signs of autism, age at diagnosis, and individual needs in social situations.

Unfortunately, the answer to this is no; the specific factors contributing to autism are currently not fully understood. Scientific evidence suggests that genetics, environmental factors, and parental age may play a role. (WHO, 2019). There is a higher likelihood of autism occurring in families where a member is autistic, but note that autism is NOT caused or influenced by parental styles or vaccines (Copeland, 2018). Future research may shed more light on how genes and environmental factors interact to shape autism.

Autistic individuals often present other co-occurring sensory, physical, and mental health conditions such as epilepsy, depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). (CASDA, 2019) Children on the autism spectrum are four times more likely to experience gastrointestinal conditions and twice likely to have a psychiatric diagnosis than the general population. The intellectual functioning ability of autistic individuals, according to the World Health Organizaion (2019), varies from “profound impairment” to “superior levels” in comparison to those considered "neurotypical". In our view, this variation reflects the diversity of cognitive strengths and needs of autism.

There are no medical tests for autism such as blood tests or brain scans (Garcin et al., 2015). Autism is diagnosed based on observation of a child's communication and behaviour, focusing on their unique developmental profile.Autism diagnosis is conducted by trained health professionals such as psychologists, developmental-behavioral pediatricians, child psychiatrists or other qualified providers. Diagnosis often involves collaborative meeting(s) with the parents or caregivers, and play-based assessments (Copeland, 2018). Early diagnosis and access to appropriate support help individuals thrive and improve their quality of life.

More information and resources below!

This page referenced & was adapted from these great resources!

- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) - 5th Edition. American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm

- American Psychiatric Association. (2018, August). What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Psychiatry.Org. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/autism/what-is-autism-spectrum-disorder

- CASDA. (2019). Blueprint for a National Autism Spectrum Disorder Strategy. https://www.casda.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Blueprint-for-a-National-ASD-Strategy-1.pdf

- Copeland Nathan J. (2018, August). What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/autism/what-is-autism-spectrum-disorder

- Dudley, C., & Emery, J. C. H. (n.d.). THE VALUE OF CAREGIVER TIME: COSTS OF SUPPORT AND CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. Retrieved May 8, 2020, from www.policyschool.ca

- Elsabbagh, M., Divan, G., Koh, Y. J., Kim, Y. S., Kauchali, S., Marcín, C., Montiel-Nava, C., Patel, V., Paula, C. S., Wang, C., Yasamy, M. T., & Fombonne, E. (2012). Global Prevalence of Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Autism Research, 5(3), 160–179. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.239

- Garcin Nathalie, Nachshen Jennifer, Zwaiggenbaum Ionie, & Brian Jessica. (2015, April). Screening, Assessment, and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Young Children: Canadian Best Practice Guidelines. Researchgate.Net. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274960728_Screening_Assessment_and_Diagnosis_of_Autism_Spectrum_Disorders_in_Young_Children_Canadian_Best_Practice_Guidelines

- Guan, J., & Li, G. (2017). Injury mortality in individuals with autism. American Journal of Public Health, 107(5), 791–793. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.303696

- Harris, J. (2018). Leo Kanner and autism. 75-year perspective. In International Review of Psychiatry (Vol. 30, Issue 1, pp. 3–17). Taylor and Francis Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2018.1455646

- Lai, J. K. Y., Rhee, E., & Nicholas, D. (2017). Suicidality in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Commentary. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 1(3), 190–195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-017-0018-4

- MCCSS (Ministry of Children, C. and S. S.) (2020, May). Autism in Ontario. Ontario.Ca. https://www.ontario.ca/page/autism-ontario#monthly-numbers

- Ozonoff, S., Heung, K., Byrd, R., Hansen, R., & Hertz-Picciotto, I. (2008). The onset of autism: Patterns of symptom emergence in the first years of life. In Autism Research (Vol. 1, Issue 6, pp. 320–328). NIH Public Access. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.53

- Palomo, R., Belinchón, M., & Ozonoff, S. (2006). Autism and family home movies: A comprehensive review. In Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004703-200604002-00003

- Paquette-Smith, M., Weiss, J., & Lunsky, Y. (2014). History of suicide attempts in adults with asperger syndrome. Crisis, 35(4), 273–277. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000263

- PHAC (Public Health Agency of Canada). (2019, August). Government of Canada Announces New Support for Canadians Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Those Who Care for Them. Canada.Ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2019/08/government-of-canada-announces-new-support-for-canadians-living-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-and-those-who-care-for-them.html

- Posar, A., Resca, F., & Visconti, P. (2015). Autism according to diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders 5 th edition: The need for further improvements. Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences, 10(2), 146–148. https://doi.org/10.4103/1817-1745.159195

- Salerno, A. C., & Schuller, R. A. (2019). A mixed-methods study of police experiences of adults with autism spectrum disorder in Canada. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 64, 18–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2019.01.002

- Senate of Canada. (2007, March). PAY NOW OR PAY LATER: Autism Families in Crisis. Http://Publications.Gc.Ca/. http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2007/sen/YC17-391-1-01E.pdf

- WHO. (2019, November 7). Autism spectrum disorders. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorder