Clearfork Academy logo
(888) 594-8699open 24/7

Autism

Plus signs

Autism spectrum disorder is 4.5 times more common among boys than among girls. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around one in 68 children is identified as being on the autism spectrum, ranging from Asperger’s Syndrome to severe autism.

What Is Autism?

Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a developmental disability. Autism makes it difficult to process or recognize emotions. Furthermore, people with ASD communicate and interact differently from what is considered to be normative. Additionally, autism signs include avoiding eye contact and becoming lost in external stimuli. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people on the autism spectrum can range from above average to severely challenged. Therefore, some people on the higher end of the autism spectrum require full-time care, while those on the less severe end of the spectrum are capable of living functional, independent lives.

Autism spectrum disorder is an umbrella diagnosis that now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger’s syndrome. Typically, autism symptoms first appear in a child before the age of three.

There is no medical test for autistic disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, or any of the other disorders on the autism spectrum. Instead, autism symptoms and social behavior are used to make an assessment. Moreover, there is no known cure for autism. However, research shows that early interventions, when applied to autism spectrum disorder, can greatly improve a child’s development.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health and Human Services (NIH), National Institute of Mental Health

It's Time to Make a Change

We Can Help You on Your Path to Mental Wellness

Call Today (888) 594-8699

Blog

Read More
How Long Does Cannabis Psychosis Last?
Teen Substance Abuse

How Long Does Cannabis Psychosis Last?

Cannabis psychosis is not always loud. It does not always arrive with dramatic symptoms that are easy to name or hard to miss. Sometimes it arrives as a teenager who

April 15, 2026
Parent talking with their teenager about drug risks and prevention strategies

How to Prevent Teens from Using Drugs: 8 Strategies for Parents

April 15, 2026

Key Takeaways Starting drug prevention conversations before the teen years gives parents the strongest foundation. Most parents wait too long, and by then, peer pressure has already filled the silence. Vague warnings don’t land. Teens need specific expectations, named substances,

Teen showing signs of fentanyl use including fatigue and social withdrawal

9 Signs Your Teen is Using Fentanyl

April 14, 2026

Key Takeaways Fentanyl is up to 100 times stronger than morphine, and a dose as small as a few grains of salt can cause fatal respiratory failure in a teenager with no prior opioid exposure. The signs are easy to

melatonin

Is Melatonin Safe For Teens? What Parents Need To Know

April 14, 2026

Sleep problems in teenagers are more common than many parents realize. In response, solutions like melatonin have become increasingly popular, often seen as a simple and natural way to improve sleep. But while melatonin is widely used, questions about its