When children or adolescents start displaying signs of developmental delays, slower processing times, or behavioral challenges, it’s natural for parents to wonder if an injury could’ve occurred. In many cases, parents are concerned that their child may have experienced head trauma, and they consider this the cause of their child’s newfound distress.
Far more often, however, the child is simply displaying signs and symptoms of autism. Autism is not caused by traumatic head injuries, but autistic youth can display similar traits, behavioral patterns, and processing difficulties as individuals struggling with a TBI.
Some of the overlapping symptoms of these two conditions include difficulties with social interactions, emotional dysregulation, and trouble communicating.
While researchers haven’t pinpointed an exact cause of autism yet, many experts believe that the condition is a result of a combination of genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and prenatal exposure to toxins or infections. Unlike autism, brain injuries are typically the result of either physical damage from an accident, medical infections, a lack of oxygen getting to the brain, or other factors that result in damaged brain tissue.
Autism is generally not the result of damaged brain tissue, but there are ways that a brain injury can contribute to the development of autism. This type of scenario can play out if a brain injury is sustained during the critical periods of early brain development. For brain injuries to be associated with autism, they must have occurred while the baby was in utero, during the birthing process, or right after the baby is born. These types of early brain injuries can increase the risks of neurodevelopmental disorders, but they do not cause them.
For instance, if the baby is not receiving enough oxygen during the birthing process, the lack of oxygen can damage brain tissue and increase the child’s likelihood of sustaining developmental delays. Once the child starts to grow, these signs may be mistaken for autism despite being the result of damaged brain tissue. A 2023 study showed that children who suffered early brain injuries were more likely to later be diagnosed with autism, but their conditions overlapped with symptoms from the brain injury as well, as per one injury attorney..
More often, early brain injuries lead to other types of diagnoses like cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, or other forms of developmental delays.
In summary, autism and brain injuries are interlinked. Both medical conditions have similar symptoms, but they are completely different diagnoses with totally different causes.
Are You Looking for Extra Support for Your Autistic Child?
Here at the Nevada Autism Center, our team’s focus is on helping autistic children and adolescents gain the skills, confidence, and socially proactive behaviors necessary to empower them to become their best selves. We strive to help autistic individuals become as autonomous, independent, and successful as possible.
We achieve this by offering the best possible ABA therapy, guidance, and care.
If you’re in Las Vegas or a nearby area, then we’d love to help your child. Get started on the enrollment process by filling out our online form, or you can call us with any questions at (702) 660-2005.
