Autism

Autism affects people throughout their life, causing difficulties with communication and behavior. Fellowship-trained family medicine physician Syed-Ghazanfar Naqvi, MD, at Advanced Medicine Clinics in McKinney, Texas, offers compassionate, constructive support to children and adults who are on the autism spectrum. Dr. Naqvi helps you manage the challenges autism causes and embrace the positive aspects of neurodiversity. Call Advanced Medicine Clinics to arrange an autism evaluation or schedule an appointment using the online booking form.

What is autism?

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that causes various communication, learning, behavior, and social interaction challenges.

The condition is known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) because the people it affects have such widely differing abilities and difficulties. At one end of the spectrum are nonverbal people who can’t communicate at all or have severe learning disabilities. At the other end are people with high-functioning autism (Asperger’s syndrome).

People with autism typically have intense interests that they focus on. They like to repeat the same activities and have predictable routines, so change can be immensely distressing. 

Difficulties interacting socially affect everyone on the autism spectrum to some degree. People may need extra time to process what they hear and prepare their responses, or struggle to start and maintain conversations.

Those who are nonverbal may be unable to speak, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have nothing to say, which can be tremendously frustrating for them.

What kind of signs of autism occur in a child?

Parents who sense their child is different may wonder how to spot autism, but it’s far from straightforward. Some common autistic traits include:

• Not responding to their name
• Disliking cuddles
• Avoiding eye contact
• Preferring to play alone
• Focusing attention on one specific toy
• Repeating the same actions for long periods
• Struggling to make friends
• Not understanding body language

Some children display autistic tendencies that are simply part of their character or that change as they develop. The only way to know for sure if your child has autism is to take them for a diagnostic assessment with a medical professional like Dr. Naqvi, who has expertise in ASD.

How is autism treated?

Treating autism focuses on helping people overcome the challenges their disorder causes rather than changing what’s a fundamental aspect of who they are.

For example, counseling techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you manage the everyday activities you find challenging, while social skills therapy teaches you how to interact with others more successfully. Depending on your needs, you might also benefit from speech and language, occupational, or physical therapy.

Medications don’t affect autism, but Dr. Naqvi might prescribe drugs to treat problems like depression and anxiety that can develop in some autistic people. He also offers nutrition therapy and innovative options like IV (intravenous) chelation therapy.

Call Advanced Medicine Clinics today or schedule a consultation online for expert autism care.