"Please disable pop-ups, or hold down the control key to enable viewing of AAP information"

Search for Handouts and Resources:

American Academy of Pediatrics Logo

  • ASD—About Medications and Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Treatments

    Treating children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often involves a comprehensive program that addresses the education, development, and behavior of the child. Read on to learn more from the American Academy of Pediatrics about the different treatments for ASD including medications and alternative

    Read More
  • ASD—Communication, Social Skills, and Sensory Motor Interventions

    Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulties navigating everyday situations. Read on to learn more from the American Academy of Pediatrics about communication, social, and sensory interventions.

    Read More
  • ASD—Developmental and Behavioral Interventions

    Developmental and behavioral interventions are interrelated and are the mainstay for educating and supporting people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Read on to learn more from the American Academy of Pediatrics about these interventions.

    Read More
  • ASD—Effective Education Programs and Public Programs

    Many different strategies and techniques help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) learn to interact with others and acquire new skills that may help them talk, play, participate in school, and care for their needs. Here is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about educational

    Read More
  • ASD—Family Support and Support in School

    Families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience stress before, during, and after a diagnosis. Here is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about support available for families of children with ASD.

    Read More
  • ASD—How is the Diagnosis Made?

    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is complex, and symptoms are different for each child. Read on to learn more from the American Academy of Pediatrics about how ASD is diagnosed.

    Read More
  • ASD—Joint Attention Skills

    How can we help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) learn important social skills? Read on to learn more from the American Academy of Pediatrics about learning joint attention skills in 4 stages.

    Read More
  • ASD—Teen and Adult Years

    Teens and adults living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have special concerns. Read on to learn more from the American Academy of Pediatrics about improving the quality of life for teens and adults with ASD.

    Read More
  • ASD—What Are Early Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

    Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may show developmental differences throughout their infancy, especially in social and language skills.

    Read More
  • ASD—What Causes Autism Spectrum Disorder?

    Many factors may lead to symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If a family already has a child diagnosed as having ASD, the chance that a sibling might also have ASD is 10 to 20 times higher than in the general population.

    Read More
  • ASD—What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurologically based disability that affects a child’s social skills, communication, and behavior.

    Read More
  • Answers About Complementary and Integrative Medicine—Autism Toolkit

    Complementary medicine refers to practices that are used in addition to the educational, behavioral, and medical interventions recommended by your child’s pediatrician and schools. Alternative medicine refers to treatments that are used in place of the recommendations of your child’s pediatrician.

    Read More
  • Behavior Challenges—Autism Toolkit

    Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have a hard time relating to and communicating with other people. They may try to communicate through their behaviors. For example, children with ASD may have a hard time telling their parents that they do not want to do an activity that parents want them

    Read More
  • Discussing the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder With Your Child—Autism Toolkit

    As your child gets older, she may read reports or hear the word autism in reference to her. Some children are aware of their diagnosis, but some are not aware, and the parents may worry that their children will become upset when they find out they have autism. This is a valid concern, and it is better

    Read More
  • Early Intervention Services—Autism Toolkit

    Children learn by watching, imitating, and playing with others. Young children with signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often do not have some of these skills, and they need to learn them. The goal of early intervention (EI) is to help young children gain skills and to teach families some specific

    Read More
  • Financial Assistance—Autism Toolkit

    Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are able to get support from programs funded through their state or county. Some examples are financial help, education support, medical care, job skills training, and residential or living services. Some supports are available to all children because

    Read More
  • Gastrointestinal Problems—Autism Toolkit

    Gastrointestinal (GI) problems include constipation, diarrhea, reflux, vomiting, belly pain, and feeding problems. Some children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have GI problems. These symptoms can add stress to the child and family and may cause behaviors such as aggression or self-injury.

    Read More
  • Inclusion in School—Autism Toolkit

    Inclusion in school means students with disabilities learn and participate alongside their peers without disabilities. Inclusion may look different for each student. It should be guided by student needs and include supports, if needed, to promote success. Inclusion is not just about education in the

    Read More
  • Intervention Approaches Used for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder—Autism Toolkit

    If you have concerns about your child’s development and behavior, your child should be seen to tell if she needs therapy. You do not need a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to begin many kinds of therapy. There can be a long wait for ASD diagnosis, so it is important to start therapy while

    Read More
  • Is Your Toddler Communicating With You?

    Your baby is able to communicate with you long before he or she speaks a single word! A baby's cry, smile, and responses to you help you to understand his or her needs. In this publication the American Academy of Pediatrics shares information about how children communicate and what to do when there are

    Read More
  • Laboratory Tests—Autism Toolkit

    All children have some laboratory tests at birth and as part of regular checkups. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often need more tests. These tests can help find the cause of the condition or problems related to it that may not be obvious. This helps guide your child’s doctor in treating

    Read More
  • Managing Chronic Health Needs in Child Care and Schools—Autism Spectrum Disorders

    Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilities caused by a problem with the brain. Children with ASDs have trouble in 3 core areas of their development.

    Read More
  • Nutrition and Eating Problems—Autism Toolkit

    Eating problems are common in children. In children with ASD, the problems may be more serious and last longer because of problems with taste, texture, or smell. They may be the result of learned behaviors.

    Read More
  • School-Based Services—Autism Toolkit

    There are different levels of intervention that a teacher and school can provide to your child: (1) Informal plan. (2) Response to intervention (RTI). (3) Section 504 plan. (4) Individualized Education Program (IEP).

    Read More
  • Seizures and Epilepsy—Autism Toolkit

    About 1 in 4 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has seizures. Seizures usually start in early childhood or the early teen years. Children with ASD who have a lower IQ or cannot speak have the highest risk for seizures. Epilepsy is defined as 2 or more seizures when the child does not have a

    Read More