Autism

Autism causes challenges with social skills, verbal skills, and communication. At Exhale Health in Scottsdale, Arizona, experienced board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Katrina Kaczmarek, MSN, APRN, PMHNP, offers patient-centered health care for patients living with autism. For empathetic care that supports you in every aspect of your life, call the Scottsdale, Arizona, office or click the online feature now.

What is autism?

Autistic disorder, commonly called autism, is a neurological and developmental disorder that causes differences inside the brain. This leads to unusual behaviors such as:

• Restricted interests
• Repetitive actions
• Growing upset with changes in routines
• Difficulty interacting with others
• Difficulty with paying attention
• Difficulty learning
• Taking conversations literally when they’re not meant that way
• Unusual speaking patterns

Autism is just one condition on the autism spectrum. Others include Asperger’s syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and childhood disintegrative disorder. 

When people refer to ASD or autism, they may be describing any of these conditions. They were once diagnosed separately but are now all grouped into the ASD diagnostic category.

What age does autism start?

Autism starts early: Many parents notice symptoms at age 12-18 months. The condition develops before age 3, but may sometimes be missed until adulthood.

Katrina is an expert in evaluating and diagnosing autism after age 12, giving you the personalized care you need even if you didn’t receive it earlier in life. 

Can autism and ADHD happen together?

Yes, autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently happen together. In fact, research shows that 70% of people with autism have ADHD at the time of their diagnosis. This combination can make your life far more complicated than it should be.

People with autism can also have other conditions. For example, more than 80% of people with autism also have anxiety, while up to 17% have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

Fortunately, all of these conditions are treatable. Exhale Health provides evaluations to find the causes of your symptoms so you can get the tailored treatment you need for every condition you’re living with. 

How is autism treated?

Autism isn’t curable yet, but there are many ways to minimize symptoms and improve your life. Katrina curates a treatment plan that maximizes your strengths while giving you the tools to overcome your specific challenges. 

Treatment may include approaches such as:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Applied behavior analysis
• Education-based approaches
• Physical therapy
• Sensory integration therapy

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are currently no drugs that address the main symptoms of autism. 

But, medication management for co-occurring conditions can make your life easier and help you function better overall. 

Exhale Health provides thoughtful, personalized treatment plans for autism, so call the office or schedule online today.