Medical Specialties

At the Center for Neurosciences, we work together across specialties to provide the best, most comprehensive approach to treatment.

Autism

Autism and autistic spectrum disorders are developmental disorders that impact a person’s ability to communicate, reason and interact with others.

Autism is part of a range – or spectrum – of related conditions that occur in early childhood, including Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Development Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). 

Every child is different and severity of symptoms ranges from mild to severe, but common signs of autism include:

  • Playing with toys in an unusual way, like spinning
  • Difficulty interacting with others
  • Repetitive movements, like hand-flapping or rocking
  • Little or no eye contact
  • Resisting touch or cuddling
  • Severe problems with language; gesturing or pointing instead of speaking
  • Being unresponsive to verbal cues; repeating words rather than responding
  • Inflexibility about routines
  • Inappropriate attachment to objects
  • Over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain, light, sounds

Autism typically appears by age three and is diagnosed through observation of communication, social interaction and developmental skills.  There are no medical tests to diagnose autism, but we may conduct some tests to rule out other disorders that may cause autistic symptoms.

There is no cure for autism, but beginning treatment as early as possible is best.  If a child is diagnosed with autism, we will work with the family to find the right specialists to help.  Research shows that children with autism do best in highly structured, special education classes designed to meet the child’s particular needs.

Therapies that can help children with autism include occupational therapy, speech therapy and social skills therapy among others.  Sometimes, medications are used to treat behavior problems associated with autism.

To learn more about autism and other autistic spectrum disorders visit the Autism Society of America website at www.autism-society.org

In the Tucson area, information and support are available by contacting the Tucson Alliance for Autism at (520) 319-5857 or at autism.web.arizona.edu

Pediatric Neurology Program

The Center for Neurosciences is home to Southern Arizona’s only group of full-time pediatric neurologists, uniquely equipped to address the special care required for children with neurological diseases and neurobehavioral conditions.