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15 Most Common Questions About Autism
answered by Dr. Timothy J. Wahlberg
Can a Child with Autism Have Good Eye Contact?
Dr. Wahlberg addresses the often-misunderstood concept of eye contact as inherent trait in autism.
For more information on diagnostic criteria, see Class 9 of the Training for Professionals, and for more information on common characteristics and traits, see Classes 2 and 3.
Do All Children with ASD Experience Sensory Issues?
Dr. Wahlberg touches on the many forms of sensory issues that may be apparent in children with autism, and on hypersensitivity vs. hyposensitivity.
For more information on how sensory issues drive the unique brain development of a child with ASD and what to do to treat those issues, see Class 2 of the Training for Professionals, and to learn more about how sensory issues impact functionality, see Class 6.
Can a Child Be Diagnosed with Autism and Downs Syndrome?
Dr. Wahlberg touches on the answer to the question of co-morbidity of Downs Syndrome and autism.
For more information on co-morbidity, the complications of diagnosis, and mis-diagnosis, see Class 9 of the Training for Professionals.
Can a Child with Autism Engage with Others?
Dr. Wahlberg touches on the complicated topic of engagement with others and social interactions.
To learn more about how and why autism develops as a social disability, and how to identify and manage the problems inherent in a social disability, see Class 4 of the Training for Professionals.
Can Diet Alone Make Profound Changes in an Individual with Autism?
Dr. Wahlberg discusses the relevance of diet as one aspect of the treatment of autism.
For more information or to see the recent clinical study Dr. Wahlberg references, see Class 9 of the Training for Professionals.
Can Medication Interventions Benefit Individuals with ASD?
Dr. Wahlberg touches on what types of symptoms may be treated with medication, and when they are needed.
For more information on the use of medication in treatment, see Appendix C of Finding the Gray (download included with course materials), and Class 8 of the Training for Professionals.
Can Anxiety Increase Sensory Hypersensitivity?
Dr. Wahlberg discusses the connection between anxiety and sensory issues.
For more information on how to manage anxiety and sensory issues in treatment, see Class 2 of the Training for Professionals.
Is a Mother’s Input a Valid Consideration in Assessing A Child for ASD?
Dr. Wahlberg describes his thoughts on the input of the child’s family in assessing the child for ASD.
For more information on how to assess a child, see Class 9 of the Training for Professionals, and for more information on the impact on the family and how to work with the family, see Class 1 and Class 2.
Must Children with ASD have Delayed Language to Have ASD?
Dr. Wahlberg discusses the various ways that language my appear in individuals with ASD.
For more information on language and the inherent communication issues in autism, see Class 7 of the Training for Professionals.
Are all Children on the Autism Spectrum Introverted?
Dr. Wahlberg discusses the issues of introversion and extroversion and how that relates to their diagnosis.
For more information on the misconceptions about autism, see Class 1 of the Training for Professionals, and to learn more about the common personality traits in those with autism, see Class 4. For more information about how personality influences functionality, see Class 6.
What Questions Need to be Asked When Assessing a Child with ASD?
Dr. Wahlberg discusses the importance of understanding the social interest level, social success, peer interaction and peer response of a child’s life as part of diagnosis.
For more information on the subtleties of diagnosing a child with ASD, see Class 9 of the Training for Professionals, and for more information on managing and treating autism as a social disability, see Class 4.
Of Those Listed, What is the Most Common Co-Morbid Diagnosis Seen Under the Age of 5 (ADHD, Anxiety/depression, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Downs Syndrome, ADHD and Anxiety combined, Developmental Delay)?
Dr. Wahlberg shares his experience of the most common co-morbid diagnoses he has seen in his 25-year career.
For more information on comorbid diagnoses, see Class 9 of the Training for Professionals, and Appendix B of Finding the Gray (download included with course registration).
Of Those Listed, What are the Most Common Mis-Diagnoses Seen in Children Over the Age of 5 (Bi-Polar Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety/Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety)?
Dr. Wahlberg shares his experience of the most frequent mis-diagnoses he has seen in his 25-year career, and the single most important differentiating factor to autism.
For more information on mis-diagnosis, see Class 9 of the Training for Professionals.
What is the Biggest Issue Facing Individuals with a Diagnosis of Autism?
Dr. Wahlberg reiterates the greatest challenge of an individual with ASD is their deficits in and resistance to the social aspects of life.
For more information on how to treat autism as a social disability, see Class 4 of the Training for Professionals, and for more information on how to motivate a child with ASD, see Class 5, to learn more about the executive functioning issues facing those with ASD and how to treat them, see Class 6.
Why is a Child With ASD So Oppositional?
Dr. Wahlberg shares that individuals with ASD become oppositional for a number of reasons: they are often trying to control the environment, they have resistance due to sensory issues, and they often have resistance due to the anxiety caused by the ASD.
For more information on how to reduce oppositional behavior and motivate a child with ASD, see Class 5 of the Training for Professionals, and to learn more about the common personality traits that develop in individuals with ASD, see Class 2.
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