Autism and Communication Center - Leominster, MALeominster Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician Doctors for Autism and CommunicationType of Physician: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician What is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Pediatrics; practitioners have a special interest in the developmental, learning, and behavioral problems of children, and in the support of parents and children during normal development and illness. Specialty: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Common Name: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician Doctors in Leominster * Patriot Pediatrics  Pediatric Associates of Medford PC  Children's Hospital Boston Developmental Medicine Center  Children's Hospital Boston Developmental Medicine Center  Children's Hospital Boston Developmental Medicine Center  Children's Hospital Boston Developmental Medicine Center  Children's Hospital Boston Developmental Medicine Center  Children's Hospital Boston Developmental Medicine Center  Children's Hospital Boston Adolescent Substance Abuse  Children's Hospital Boston Developmental Medicine Center  NEMC Center for Children with Special Needs  NEMC Center for Children with Special Needs  NEMC Center for Children with Special Needs  NEMC Center for Children with Special Needs  NEMC Center for Children with Special Needs  NEMC Center for Children with Special Needs  NEMC Center for Children with Special Needs  NEMC Center for Children with Special Needs  Child and Adolescent Health Specialists PC Leominster, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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AutismWhat is autism?Autism is a developmental disorder that is characterized by impaired development in communication, social interaction, and behavior. Autism afflicts one out of every 100 to 166 children and it affects the lives of many children and their families (DiCicco-Bloom et al, 2006). It tends to affect about five boys to every one girl (First, 2008). Autism is classified as a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), a category of disorders that is often described interchangeably with the broad spectrum of developmental disorders affecting young children and adults called the autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). The range of these disorders varies from severely impaired individuals with autism to other individuals who have abnormalities of social interaction but normal intelligence--Asperger's syndrome. The ways in which autism is exhibited can differ greatly. Additionally, autism can be found in association with other disorders such as mental retardation and certain medical conditions. The degree of autism can range from mild to severe. Mildly affected individuals may appear very close to normal. Severely afflicted individuals may have an extreme intellectual disability and unable to function in almost any setting. In the past, autism has been confused with childhood schizophrenia or childhood psychosis, and may have been misunderstood as schizotypal personality disorder in some adults. As additional research information about autism becomes available, the scope and definition of the condition continues to become more refined. Some of the past confusion about the disorder has been resolved.
What are the symptoms of autism?The current Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition, Treatment Revision (DSM-IV-TR) identifies three features that are associated with autism:
Recommended Reading Related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (In Children and Adults)Autism Screening and Diagnosis » Autism screening and diagnosis overviewDiagnosing autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) can be difficult, since there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorders. Doctors look at the child's behavior and development to make a diagnosis. ASDs can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced professional can be considered very reliable. However, many children do not receive a final diagnosis until much older. This delay means that children with an ASD might not get the help they need. Diagnosing an ASD takes two steps: Developmental screeningDevelopmental screening is a short test to tell if children are learning basic skills when they should, or if they might have delays. During developmental screening the doctor might ask the parent some questions or talk and play with the child during an exam to see how she learns, speaks, behaves, and moves. A delay in any... Other Related Autism and Communication ArticlesEmergency Contact for Leominster
Nearby Leominster Hospitals *HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Campus Health Alliance Burbank Hospital UMass Memorial Clinton Hospital Nashoba Valley Medical Center Heywood Hospital UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital UMass Memorial Medical Center University Campus Westborough State Hospital Adcare Hospital of Worcester Worcester State Hospital UMass Memorial Medical Center Memorial Campus St Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough St Joseph Hospital Emerson Hospital Southern New Hampshire Medical Center HC Solomon Mental Health Center Lowell General Hospital  Athol Memorial Hospital  MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital  Saints Medical Center  Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital  Monadnock Community Hospital  Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick  MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital  Lahey Clinic Medical Center  Tewksbury Hospital  Newton Wellesley Hospital  Milford Regional Medical Center  Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center  McLean Hospital  HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital  Baystate Mary Lane Hospital  Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham  Isham Health Center  Winchester Hospital  Parkland Medical Center  Caritas Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center  Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center  Lawrence General Hospital  Mount Auburn Hospital  Northeast Rehabilitation Health Network  Franciscan Hospital for Children  Kindred Hospital Boston  Lawrence Memorial Hospital  Harrington Memorial Hospital  Somerville Hospital  Hubbard Regional Hospital  VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus  Arbour HRI Hospital  Bournewood Hospital  Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center  Cambridge Hospital  Westwood Lodge Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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