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The National Institute Of Mental Health

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According to a study in the journal of Pediatric Dentistry, parents of children with autism define their children’s oral health as fair or poor. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder have difficulties adjusting with the dental scenery, due mainly to their inability to communicate and socialize their thoughts and feelings. Dental office visits can be challenging to the child with autism and therefor the parent as well. It is our job as a dental professional to help make these office visits as pleasant as possible to both the patient and the caregiver.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism spectrum disorder is a lengthy diagnostic category that includes those with impaired social interaction and communication, and those with repetitive stereo-typed behaviors (Persico & Merelli, 2014). The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), defines the term ‘spectrum’ as a wide range of symptoms, skill, and levels of impairment or disability that kids with ASD possess. It is a disorder in where several parts of the brain have obstacles working together to complete complex tasks. It is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges (CDC, 2015).
Prevalence
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new information on the prevalence of autism in the United States. According to the new reports it identified 1 in 68 children as having autism spectrum disorder. As a dental professional, one will treat children

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