Autistic Spectrum disorder is a childhood-onset condition that involves three general areas:
Communication
Social Skills Development
Restricted, Repetitive Behavior, Interest or Activities.
The cause is unknown as some studies have shown an inherited genetic pattern,
some studies have pointed to acquired environmental exposures, and others have revealed structural and functional imaging differences in the brain.
Children with autism are at a much higher risk of mental retardation, epilepsy, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, atypical Attention Deficit Disorder
and psychoses.
How can Dr. Kohn help you?
Dr. Kohn uses a variety of evaluation forms and both Assessment and Treatment Tools in his Practice.
He uses a Holistic view of the patient and the problem.
Dr. Kohn uses a Biological-Psychological-Social framework to assess your symptoms because he knows that the proper diagnosis leads to proper treatment.
Treatment follows from the evaluation. The Assessment tools may include the Quotient Test, IVA or Brain SPECT Scan.
Treatment begins with social and language therapy. Medications are used when anxiety, attention, or aggressive behavior are not responsive to modifications in lifestyle at home or therapies.
The age of the patient and the level of developmental delay or behavioral problems influence the assessment.
The confirmation of this diagnosis may become the first step in the child's access to special services, i.e., Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy.
For example a 4year old who is not talking will need an EEG to rule out Epilepsy and a referral to a speech pathologist.
A 12 year old in school receiving accomodations under an IEP may need medication treatment to reduce anxiety or agression.
What Are the Symptoms of Autism Spectrum?
A common pattern is of a normal healthy toddler ( more common in boys than girls ) who deteriorates in terms of language skills
acquired between 18-30 months, avoids direct eye contact in communication, becomes more withdrawn and less emotionally
connected with Mom and the family in preference to self stimulation with spinning or toys; frequently the child becomes increasingly inflexible
when routines are changed.
"Thinking in pictures," a phrase coined by Dr. Temple Grandon, summarizes the thought process that develops in
so far as words do not communicate the meaning that images do in terms of language development.
Problems with behavior include the delay in acquiring toileting skills, explosive anger spells and
tantrums when routines are changed, avoidance of children in preference for toys that prevents play and friendships.
The emerging delays in the maturation of "sense of self" require early assessment (age 18 to 30 months)
usually through a government funded early childhood intervention program of school districts.
Listen to DR. Kohn on Autism Spectrum