Autism Resources for Parents and Educators

This resource hub is designed to help parents and educators better understand Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)—a diverse, lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.

ASD includes a broad range of characteristics and support needs. Every individual with autism is unique, with their own strengths, challenges, and ways of learning and communicating.

At the Academy of St. Louis, we believe that with informed support from both parents and educators, children on the autism spectrum can thrive and achieve their full potential.

Understanding the Signs of Autism

Autism is typically identified by differences in two key areas:

1. Social Communication and Interaction

  • Challenges with back-and-forth conversation

  • Difficulty understanding nonverbal cues (like gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice)

  • Trouble developing and maintaining peer relationships

2. Repetitive or Restricted Behaviors

  • Repeating certain behaviors or phrases (echolalia)

  • Strong interest in specific topics or routines

  • Sensitivity to sensory input (like sounds, textures, lights)

  • Rigid adherence to routines or schedules

Not every individual with autism will display all of these characteristics. Each person’s profile is unique.

How Autism Is Diagnosed

Autism is diagnosed based on developmental history and observed behaviors. In many cases, signs can be reliably identified by age 2 or even earlier.

The Diagnostic Process Often Involves Two Steps:

1. Developmental Screening at Routine Checkups

  • Pediatricians monitor milestones and gather parent observations.

  • If concerns arise, the child may be referred for further evaluation.

2. Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation

A team of professionals conducts in-depth assessments. This team may include:

  • Developmental pediatricians – Experts in child development

  • Child psychologists or psychiatrists – Specialists in behavior and emotional well-being

  • Speech-language pathologists – Professionals who assess and support communication

These specialists will provide guidance on a personalized support or treatment plan, which may include therapies, educational support, or family resources.

Factors That May Increase the Likelihood of Autism

While autism occurs across all backgrounds and communities, research has identified several risk factors:

  • Biological sex – Autism is diagnosed more often in boys than in girls

  • Family history – Having a sibling with autism increases the likelihood

  • Parental age – Children born to older parents may have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed

  • Genetics – Some children with autism also have genetic conditions such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis

Autism is not a disorder to be “fixed”—it’s a different way of experiencing the world. With the right support and understanding, children on the spectrum can lead joyful, meaningful, and connected lives.

We designed these resources for parents and educators to gain a better
understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and what makes each of them unique. ASD
is the name for a group of developmental disorders with a wide range of symptoms, skills, and
levels of disability.

At the Academy of St. Louis, we believe that with the right resources and support from both parents
and teachers, children with ASD can reach their full potential.

Signs and Symptoms

Parents and teachers are usually the first to identify ASD behaviors in children. There are two
main types of behaviors: restrictive/repetitive behaviors and social communication/interaction
behaviors. Not all people with ASD will show all of the behaviors, but most will show several
amongst the two types.

Diagnosing ASD

Doctor’s diagnose ASD by looking at a child’s behavior and development. Children can usually
be reliably diagnosed by age two.

Diagnosis in young children is usually a two-step process:

  1. General Developmental Screening During Checkup—during general checkups,
    doctor’s can observe and learn more from a parent about a child’s behavior. From there,
    a child can be referred to another specialist for an additional evaluation if the doctor
    deems necessary.
  2. Additional Evaluation—the additional evaluation will include a specialist who can make recommendations for a treatment plan.
    • A developmental pediatrician—a doctor who has special training in child development
    • A child psychologist and/or child psychiatrist—a doctor who knows about brain development and behavior
    • A speech-language pathologist—a health professional who has special training in communication difficulties.

Risk Factors

  1. Gender—boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls
  2. Having a sibling with ASD
  3. Having older parents (a mother who was 35 or older, and/or a father who was 40 or
    older when the baby was born)
  4. Genetics—about 20% of children with ASD also have certain genetic conditions. Those
    conditions include Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis among
    others.

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