Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism numbers are on the rise in the United States, and more cases of autism are diagnosed every day. Many parents are unaware that they have a child with autism. Signs of autism are not easily detected, so parents who suspect they have a child with developmental delays or a child with autism would have difficulty distinguishing autism from other developmental problems. There are no specific causes or treatments for autism, but with today's technology that may change. “Autism is not just one disorder, but a spectrum of closely related disorders with a shared core of symptoms” (Help guide 2013). Although it can vary from person to person, autism affects emotions, empathy, communication, flexible behavior and social skills. Autism also varies in level of disability from person to person: one child may show severe signs while the other barely suffers from this disorder. The signs and symptoms of autism are often ignored and passed off as a slight delay and it is believed that the child will grow out of it. When a child appears to have no socialization skills, is unable to communicate, or continually displays strange repetitive behaviors; the child should be tested. There is no precise cause of ASD, but many researchers believe it has something to do with faulty genes or incomplete development of the child's brain. (Proctor, Young-Adams 2013) If autism is caught in its early stages, it makes a big difference and can help improve cognitive and social skills. Additional tests are added to the autism diagnostic program test to ideally detect the disorder around eighteen months. (NIH 2013) Mostly autism is diagnosed in two categories, autistic (classic autism) or autism… middle of the paper… at the same age, but they are afraid that their child will be labeled and what others will say. If a child is suspected of having autism, then the process should be taken very seriously to rule out autism or make a definitive diagnosis and begin treatment.REFERENCEHelpguide.org 2013- A Parent's Guide to the Symptoms and Diagnosis of Autism autism spectrum - Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved November 10, 2013, from: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/autism_spectrum.htmNih.gov- National Institute of Mental Health - What is Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved November 10, 2013, from: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-pervasive-developmental-disorders/index.shtml Proctor B. P, Young-Adams PA (2011) . Kinn's Physician Assistant: An Applied Learning Approach (Eleventh Edition) Elsevier Saunders, St Louis, MO.