​​​​​What is Autism?

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today.

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How will I know if my child has Autism?

The characteristic behaviors of autism spectrum disorders may or may not be apparent in infancy 18 to 24 months, but usually become obvious during early childhood 24 months to 6 years.  The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) lists five behaviors that signal further evaluation is warranted. 1) Does not babble or coo by 12 months, 2) Does not gesture, point, wave, grasp by 12 months, 3) Does not say single words by 16 months, 4) Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own by 24 months, 5) Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age.  Having any of these five "red flags" does not mean your child has autism. But because the symptoms of the disorder vary so much, a child showing these behaviors should have further evaluations by a multidisciplinary team.



Where can I go for help?

You may contact a neurologist, psychologist, developmental pediatrician, speech/language therapist, learning consultant, or other professionals knowledgeable about autism. Youth & Family Services of Virginia, Inc. has experienced mental health professionals and clinicians specifically trained to treat Autism, please contact us for an assessment.



What is Applied Behavior Analysis?​

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the most effective treatment for children diagnosed with Autism.  Over the past 50 years, thousands of published studies have documented the effectiveness of ABA for increasing a wide variety of skills and decreasing challenging behaviors.  The goal of ABA is to facilitate enduring behavioral changes resulting in enhanced quality of life.  It has demonstrated lasting and positve behavior change.