What is Autism 什么是自闭症

Understanding autism spectrum disorder and what it means for your family.

了解自闭症谱系障碍及其对您家庭的意义。

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder 了解自闭症谱系障碍

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person perceives the world, communicates, and interacts with others. It is called a "spectrum" because it encompasses a wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of support needs.

ASD is not caused by bad parenting, diet, or vaccines. It is a neurological difference that is present from birth, though it may not be recognized until later in a child's development.

Key Facts:

  • ASD affects approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States (CDC, 2023)
  • It is 4 times more common in boys than girls, though girls are often underdiagnosed
  • ASD occurs across all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups
  • Early intervention can significantly improve outcomes

自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）是一种神经发育状况，影响一个人感知世界、沟通和与他人互动的方式。它被称为"谱系"，因为它涵盖了广泛的症状、技能和支持需求水平。

ASD不是由不当的养育方式、饮食或疫苗引起的。它是一种从出生起就存在的神经学差异，尽管可能要到儿童发育的较晚阶段才能被识别出来。

关键事实：

  • ASD影响着美国约每36名儿童中的1名（CDC, 2023年）
  • 男孩的发生率是女孩的4倍，但女孩往往诊断不足
  • ASD发生在所有种族、民族和社会经济群体中
  • 早期干预可以显著改善预后

Early Signs to Look For 需要关注的早期迹象

Recognizing the early signs of autism is crucial for getting your child the support they need. While every child develops differently, here are some common early signs that may appear in the first two years:

识别自闭症的早期迹象对于让您的孩子获得所需支持至关重要。虽然每个孩子的发展都不同，但以下是可能在前两年出现的一些常见早期迹象：

Social Communication 社交沟通

  • Limited or no eye contact
  • Does not respond to their name by 12 months
  • Does not point to show interest by 14 months
  • Limited facial expressions
  • Difficulty understanding others' feelings
  • 很少或没有眼神接触
  • 12个月时对自己的名字没有反应
  • 14个月时不会用手指向感兴趣的东西
  • 面部表情有限
  • 难以理解他人的感受

Language & Speech 语言与言语

  • Delayed speech development
  • Loss of previously acquired words
  • Repeating words or phrases (echolalia)
  • Unusual tone of voice
  • Difficulty with back-and-forth conversation
  • 语言发展延迟
  • 失去之前已经学会的词汇
  • 重复词语或短语（回声语言）
  • 不寻常的语气语调
  • 难以进行来回对话

Behavior Patterns 行为模式

  • Repetitive movements (hand flapping, rocking)
  • Intense focus on specific interests
  • Strict adherence to routines
  • Sensitivity to sensory input (light, sound, texture)
  • Lining up toys or objects in a specific order
  • 重复性动作（拍手、摇晃）
  • 对特定兴趣的强烈关注
  • 严格遵守日常规律
  • 对感官输入敏感（光线、声音、质地）
  • 按特定顺序排列玩具或物品

Important for Chinese American families: In Chinese culture, some early signs—like being quiet, well-behaved, or preferring solitary play—may be seen as positive traits rather than potential concerns. If you notice multiple signs, consider speaking with your pediatrician regardless of cultural expectations.

对华裔美国家庭的重要提示：在中国文化中，一些早期迹象——如安静、乖巧或喜欢独自玩耍——可能被视为积极特质而非潜在问题。如果您注意到多种迹象，请不论文化期望如何，考虑与您的儿科医生交谈。

The Diagnosis Process 诊断过程

Getting a diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but understanding the process can help you feel more prepared:

  1. Developmental Screening: During routine well-child visits, your pediatrician should screen for developmental delays. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism-specific screening at 18 and 24 months. You can ask for a screening at any time if you have concerns.
  2. Comprehensive Evaluation: If screening suggests a concern, your child will be referred for a comprehensive evaluation. This typically involves a team of specialists including a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, and speech-language pathologist.
  3. Assessment Tools: The evaluation may include standardized tests such as the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule), parent interviews, observation of your child's behavior, and review of developmental history.
  4. Diagnosis & Report: After evaluation, the team will provide a detailed report with the diagnosis and recommendations for therapy and services. This report is essential for accessing services and school accommodations.
  5. Beginning Services: With a diagnosis, you can begin accessing early intervention services (for children under 3) or school-based services (for children 3 and older), as well as private therapies.

获得诊断可能令人感到不安，但了解过程可以帮助您做好更充分的准备：

  1. 发育筛查：在常规儿童健康检查中，您的儿科医生应进行发育延迟筛查。美国儿科学会建议在18个月和24个月时进行自闭症专项筛查。如果您有任何担忧，可以随时要求筛查。
  2. 综合评估：如果筛查显示有问题，您的孩子将被转介进行综合评估。这通常涉及一个专家团队，包括发育儿科医生、心理学家和言语语言病理学家。
  3. 评估工具：评估可能包括标准化测试，如ADOS-2（自闭症诊断观察量表）、家长访谈、对孩子行为的观察以及发育历史回顾。
  4. 诊断与报告：评估后，团队将提供详细的报告，包括诊断结果以及治疗和服务建议。这份报告对于获取服务和学校支持至关重要。
  5. 开始服务：有了诊断，您可以开始获得早期干预服务（3岁以下儿童）或学校服务（3岁及以上儿童），以及私人治疗服务。

Tip: Request that your evaluation be conducted by professionals who have experience working with bilingual and multicultural families. Many evaluation tools have been designed primarily for English-speaking populations, and a culturally sensitive evaluator can provide a more accurate assessment.

提示：要求由具有双语和多元文化家庭工作经验的专业人员进行评估。许多评估工具主要是为英语人群设计的，一位有文化敏感性的评估者可以提供更准确的评估。

Cultural Perspectives 文化视角

In many Chinese families, autism may be a difficult topic due to cultural factors. Understanding these perspectives can help families navigate the journey:

  • Stigma (面子 miànzi): Concerns about losing face or bringing shame to the family may delay seeking help. Remember: autism is a neurological condition, not a reflection of parenting.
  • Different expectations: Chinese cultural values may emphasize academic achievement and social conformity, which can create additional pressure for families of children with autism.
  • Generational differences: Grandparents and extended family members may not understand autism or may attribute it to other causes. Education and gentle communication can help bridge this gap.
  • Language barriers: Navigating the healthcare and education systems in English can be challenging. This is exactly why we provide bilingual resources.

Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The sooner your child receives support, the better their outcomes will be.

在许多华人家庭中，自闭症可能因文化因素而成为一个敏感话题。了解这些观点可以帮助家庭更好地应对：

  • 面子观念：对丢面子或给家庭带来羞耻的担忧可能会延迟寻求帮助。请记住：自闭症是一种神经系统状况，不是养育方式的反映。
  • 不同期望：中国文化价值观可能强调学业成就和社会规范，这可能给有自闭症儿童的家庭带来额外压力。
  • 代际差异：祖父母和其他家庭成员可能不了解自闭症，或者将其归因于其他原因。教育和温和的沟通可以帮助弥合这一差距。
  • 语言障碍：用英语在医疗保健和教育系统中导航可能具有挑战性。这正是我们提供双语资源的原因。

寻求帮助是力量的表现，而不是软弱。您的孩子越早获得支持，成果就越好。