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1. What causes autism?

Research suggests that the risk of autism development arises from a combination of genetic and non-genetic, or environmental, influences. Other risks that increase the likelihood of developing autism are parents over 40 years of age; pregnancy and/ or birth complications, such as extreme premature birth, low birth weight, or multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.); and pregnancies spaced less than a year apart from one another.

2. How do I know if my child has Autism?

Signs that may identify the need for an ASD screening:

• Avoids eye contact and want to be alone
• Does not like to cuddle
• Does not make eye contact
• Does not play "pretend" games at 18 months/ lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
• Does not point at objects to show interest by 14 months
• Does not respond to his or her name
• Does not respond to his or her name by 12 months
• Does not return smiles
• Does not talk or suddenly stops talking
• Flaps hands, rock their body or spin in circles
• Gets upset by minor changes
• Gives unrelated answers to questions
• Has delayed speech and language skills
• Has limited food preferences
• Has obsessive interests (e.g. persistent fixation on arts of the object)
• Has temper outbursts or tantrums - "meltdowns"
• Has trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
• Has unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look or feel
• Is sensitive to clothing and textures
• Lags behind same-age children in skills
• Not interested in other children
• Repeats words or phrases over and over

3. What are possible signs of Autism in babies and toddlers?

• 6 months:   No social smiles or other joyful expressions directed toward people
•  6 months:   Limited to no eye contact
•  9 months:   No vocal sounds, smiles or other nonverbal communication
•  2 months:   No babbling
•  12 months: No use of gestures to communicate (e.g. pointing, reaching, waving, etc.)
•  12 months: No response to name when called
•  16 months: No words
•  24 months: No meaningful, two-word phrases
•  Any loss of any previously acquired speech, babbling, or social skills

4. What are the eligibility requirements for Applied Behavioral Analysis services?

The State of Michigan now offers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Services to individuals who:

• Are Medicaid eligible
•  Are younger than 21 years of age
•  Have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Diagnosis