If you’ve recently heard the words “your child has autism”

The term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the official, medical term used in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Hyperlexia is a developmental condition in which a child begins reading and decoding earlier than is typical for their age

Oftentimes parents and professionals wonder about the difference between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to the overlapping traits between the two. These include repetitive behaviors, adherence to strict routines, and/or an intense focus on specific topics/interests. We are here to clarify that although OCD and autism can look similar on the surface, they are two distinct conditions. Understanding their similarities and how they differ can help parents, educators, and professionals provide the right kinds of support. Let’s unpack what OCD really is, how it compares to autism, and the importance of recognizing both (when they occur together). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is defined by the DSM-5 as a mental health condition that involves the presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both. The following definition has been taken from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2016).

It is common for families and caregivers to wonder about their children’s development, and this may be especially true when a child is born with Down syndrome or receives a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. It’s not unusual to wonder if the two are the same, and if not, how they differ. In this article, we set out to explain what Down syndrome is, how it differs from autism spectrum disorder, and what it might look like when a child has a diagnosis of Down syndrome with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder. Down syndrome, also referred to as trisomy 21, is a genetic condition in which a person has an extra copy of chromosome 21. Down syndrome is the most common genetic chromosomal condition and occurs in roughly 1/775 live births in the United States (De Graaf, 2024), and 1/1000 live births worldwide.

Nonverbal learning disorder is generally defined as a neurodevelopmental condition in which a person has a discrepancy between their verbal and nonverbal abilities, with strengths in verbal skills and significant challenges in non-verbal skills. What this means is that a child may have good verbal memory (i.e., encoding and retrieval of written or spoken information) and vocabulary development accompanied by difficulties with fine motor skills, social interaction, and interpreting visual-spatial information (e.g., understanding where objects are and the relationship between objects in space, including the ability to visually manipulate them in space; mental imagery). Those with nonverbal learning disorder may tend to focus on specific details as opposed to the greater picture. This is referred to as weak central coherence, and is also seen in other developmental conditions

Hearing that your child has an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis can lead parents to feel a wealth of emotions. Hearing that your child has a level 3 autism diagnosis can lead to even more confusion. Oftentimes, families wonder if a level 3 diagnosis means that their child has “severe” autism or if their child will grow up to be independent. If you are a family member whose child just received a level 3 autism diagnosis, we are here to offer some clarity on what that means for your child and your family.

When a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, they are also usually given a number, or a level, associated with their diagnosis. Although this number is supposed to provide a little clarity, it often leaves families feeling more confused than they already are. These numbers, or rather levels, are used by professionals to describe the amount of support that a person with autism might need at that moment in their life. Let’s walk through what Level 1 autism means, why it’s described this way, and how you and your family can use this information to support your child.

Receiving a diagnosis for a child can feel overwhelming for families, especially at first. Early signs such as developmental delays, learning difficulties, or social challenges often leave parents uncertain. Many conditions share similar traits, which makes it harder to pinpoint the right diagnosis and provide effective support. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorder are two conditions that overlap in presentation, causing confusion. Research shows that about 16% of females and 46% of males with FXS also receive an autism diagnosis, creating unique challenges but also opportunities for tailored treatment, education, and care.