Autism (autisme), also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a lifelong difference in how the brain develops that affects how a person communicates, behaves and experiences the world. Common signs in young children include talking later, not responding to their name, using less eye contact, preferring to play alone, repetitive movements, getting upset by changes in routine and reacting strongly to sounds, lights or textures. Every autistic person is different, and signs can be easy to miss, especially in girls. Autism is not an illness and is not caused by vaccines. There is no cure, but support, such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and help at school, can help, and the WHO says early support can improve communication and social skills. If you are worried, see a doctor.
Apa itu autisme? (autism meaning)
According to the NHS, autism is a difference in how your brain develops that affects how you see and experience the world. It is often described as a type of neurodivergence. Being autistic can affect:
- how you communicate with people and understand them, and how people understand you;
- how you think, learn and pay attention to things;
- how you respond to light, sounds, smells, tastes and touch.
Some autistic people have a learning disability, while others have average or above average intelligence. The NHS also notes that autism is something you are born with. It is not an illness.
Ciri-ciri autisme pada kanak-kanak
Signs of autism may be noticed at a very young age, or not until later in life. According to the NHS, every autistic person is different and many will not show all the signs. In young children, the signs fall into three main areas:
| Area | Signs autistic children may show (NHS) |
|---|---|
| Communicating with other people | Starting to speak later than other children, not responding to their name, speaking little or using single words, repeating words and phrases, using eye contact less often, using fewer facial expressions and gestures |
| Behaviour and play | Finding it hard to join in play with other children, not taking part in pretend play, enjoying repetitive actions such as opening and closing doors, repetitive movements (stimming) such as rocking, spinning or hand flapping, very strong interests, getting upset by changes in routine |
| Sensory differences | Reacting very strongly, or not at all, to lights, sounds, smells, tastes or textures, disliking bright or noisy rooms or certain clothes, eating only certain foods or disliking certain textures, finding it hard to describe feelings such as hunger or pain |
Many young children show one or two of these behaviours from time to time. What matters is a pattern of signs that affects how your child communicates, plays and copes with everyday life. If you notice this, talk to a doctor.
Signs in older children and teenagers
Older autistic children and teenagers show many of the same signs as younger children. According to the NHS, they may also:
- have few close friends and spend more time alone;
- say or do things that seem rude or inappropriate without meaning to;
- have an advanced vocabulary and speak in a formal way;
- take things literally or not understand sarcasm;
- need to follow rules and get upset if rules are not followed;
- find changes hard, such as moving from primary to secondary school.
Autism in girls and women
According to the NHS, it can be harder to see the signs of autism in girls and women because of masking, which means hiding or covering up autistic traits. Autistic girls may be more likely to:
- copy how other children behave and play;
- be quiet in situations they find difficult;
- appear to cope with social situations;
- show fewer repetitive behaviours than autistic boys;
- have mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression or an eating disorder.
Masking can make everyday life feel exhausting and stressful. Autistic boys can mask too, and not everyone knows they are doing it.
Ciri-ciri autisme pada dewasa
Some people are not recognised as autistic until adulthood. According to the NHS, autistic adults may:
- find it hard to talk to other people, and spend more time alone;
- find it hard to understand facial expressions, gestures or tone of voice;
- take things literally, for example not understanding phrases like “it’s a piece of cake”;
- have fixed ways of doing things and get distressed when their routine changes;
- be very focused on particular interests;
- be very sensitive, or not sensitive at all, to light, sounds, smells, tastes or textures.
The NHS advises seeing a doctor if you think you might be autistic. They may refer you for an autism assessment and tell you what support is available.
“Mild autism” and the autism spectrum
Autism is called a spectrum because it affects people in very different ways. You may hear people say “mild autism” to describe autistic people who need little day-to-day support. According to the NHS, every autistic person is different: some need little or no support, while others need help from a parent or carer every day. The support someone needs can also change over time and in different situations.
The WHO notes that some autistic people can live independently, while others have severe disabilities and need lifelong care and support.
What causes autism?
According to the NHS, it is not known exactly what causes autism, but it can sometimes run in families. The WHO says there are probably many factors, both genetic and environmental. Factors that appear more often in autistic children or their parents include:
- older parents;
- diabetes in the mother during pregnancy (see our guide to kencing manis);
- being born premature, severe birth complications and low birth weight;
- exposure during pregnancy to air pollution, certain heavy metals, or some epilepsy medicines such as valproate.
These are associations, not certain causes, and more research is needed. If you take epilepsy medicine and are planning a pregnancy, do not stop it on your own; talk to your doctor first.
Vaccines do not cause autism. According to the WHO, extensive research has shown that the MMR vaccine does not cause autism. The study that claimed a link was later proven wrong and fraudulent, and it was withdrawn. Other childhood vaccines and their ingredients do not increase the risk either.
How common is autism?
- The WHO estimates that in 2021 about 1 in 127 people worldwide were autistic, although figures vary between studies.
- In Malaysia, a study at the child development unit of the country’s largest public hospital found that the median age at autism diagnosis was 48 months (4 years). Children from lower-income families were less likely to be diagnosed early, and the authors pointed to a lack of awareness of early signs.
The WHO notes that autism can often be detected in early childhood but is often not diagnosed until much later. Knowing the signs can help children get support sooner.
Getting an autism diagnosis in Malaysia
Only a trained professional can diagnose autism; online quizzes cannot. If you are worried about your child:
- Talk to a doctor at a klinik kesihatan or a GP. They can refer your child to a specialist team, such as a developmental paediatrician, a child psychiatrist or a child development unit at a hospital.
- Screening checklists for toddlers, such as the M-CHAT-R/F, can show whether a child needs further assessment. A Malaysian version has been tested in local toddlers, but a screening result is not a diagnosis.
- Talk to the teacher if your child is at nursery or school, as they may notice differences in how your child plays and learns.
According to the NHS, an autism assessment for a child may include questions about their development (such as when they started talking), a physical examination, tasks to see how they communicate and play, and reports from their nursery or school. The team may also look for other conditions that are common in autistic children, such as ADHD or epilepsy. Adults are usually asked to fill in questionnaires and talk about their childhood, and the team may speak to a family member.
After the assessment, the report should say whether the person is autistic, what they are good at and what they might need help with. If the signs are not yet clear, you may be asked to come back when your child is older.
Rawatan autisme: support and therapies
According to the NHS, there is no treatment or cure for autism, because it is not an illness, but there are ways of managing it and getting support. The WHO says that early, evidence-based psychosocial interventions can improve how autistic children communicate and interact with others.
| Type of support | How it can help |
|---|---|
| Speech and language therapy | Helps with understanding and using language, or with other ways to communicate |
| Occupational therapy | Helps with daily living skills and managing sensory differences |
| Support at school | Special educational needs support, such as a quiet area, extra time or help communicating with teachers |
| Mental health support | For anxiety or depression, which are more common in autistic people |
| Treatment for other conditions | Such as ADHD, epilepsy or sleep problems, which are managed in their own right |
Be cautious of products, diets or programmes that promise to cure autism. Ask your child’s doctor or therapist before trying anything new.
In Malaysia, the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), a non-profit founded by parents and professionals, runs centres across the country, including an early intervention programme for children.
Supporting an autistic child at home and school
According to the NHS, to help support an autistic child:
- do not try to change how they behave, unless it is harmful to them or others;
- make their surroundings comfortable, for example by managing levels of light and noise;
- keep to familiar routines, and tell them about changes as early as you can;
- introduce change slowly, in a safe and familiar place;
- plan ahead to avoid things that may cause distress (triggers);
- make sure they have space and time to rest, as coping with daily life can be very tiring.
Some autistic children need extra help to eat healthily, keep clean, sleep well and cope with appointments such as going to the doctor or dentist. If sleep is a problem, see our guide to susah tidur. At school, let teachers know what support your child needs, and be aware that your child may need time to settle after school.
Autism, ADHD and other conditions
According to the NHS, autistic people are more likely to have some other physical and mental health conditions, including:
- ADHD, which mainly affects attention, activity and impulse control;
- epilepsy (sawan);
- anxiety, depression and eating disorders;
- a learning disability, dyslexia or dyspraxia.
These conditions can make autism harder to spot, and autism can make them harder to spot too. That is why an assessment looks at the whole picture.
Support for parents and families
Caring for an autistic child can be rewarding, but it can also be tiring and worrying, especially while you wait for an assessment. The NHS suggests finding local groups where you can get support from other families and checking what support is available for parents, carers and brothers and sisters.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, help is available: call Talian HEAL 15555 (Ministry of Health mental health line, 8am to midnight daily) or Befrienders KL +603-7627 2929 (24 hours), and call 999 in an emergency.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What does autism mean (autism meaning)?
Autism, also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a difference in how the brain develops that affects how a person sees and experiences the world. According to the NHS, it can affect how someone communicates and understands others, how they think and learn, and how they respond to light, sounds, smells, tastes and touch. Autism is something you are born with. It is not an illness.
What are the ciri-ciri autism in young children?
According to the NHS, autistic children may start to speak later than other children, not respond to their name, use eye contact less often, find it hard to join in play with other children, enjoy repetitive actions, do repetitive movements such as rocking or hand flapping, get upset by changes in routine, and react very strongly, or not at all, to lights, sounds, smells, tastes or textures. Every autistic child is different and many will not show all the signs.
Is there a rawatan or cure for autism?
According to the NHS, autism is not an illness and there is no treatment or cure, but there are ways of managing it and getting support. The WHO says evidence-based psychosocial interventions can improve communication and social skills. Support may include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, help at school and support for families. Be cautious of anything that promises to cure autism.
What is mild autism?
People sometimes use the term mild autism for autistic people who need little day-to-day support. According to the NHS, every autistic person is different: some need little or no support, while others need help from a parent or carer every day, and the support someone needs can change over time. Signs can also be less obvious because some people learn to hide them, which is called masking.
Do vaccines cause autism?
No. According to the WHO, extensive research over many years has shown that the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine does not cause autism, and the study that claimed a link was later proven wrong and fraudulent. Other childhood vaccines do not increase the risk of autism either. The NHS also says autism is not caused by vaccines or medicines.
What is the difference between autism and ADHD?
Autism mainly affects how a person communicates, interacts with others and responds to their senses, and often involves a strong need for routine. ADHD mainly affects attention, activity levels and impulse control. According to the NHS, ADHD is more common in autistic people, so a child can have both, and an assessment team may look for signs of ADHD during an autism assessment.
How is autism diagnosed in Malaysia?
Start by seeing a doctor at a klinik kesihatan or a GP, who can refer your child to a specialist team, such as a developmental paediatrician or a child psychiatrist. The assessment usually looks at development, behaviour and how the child communicates and plays. A study at Malaysia's largest public hospital found the median age at diagnosis was 4 years, so speak to a doctor early if you are worried.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for assessment, diagnosis or advice from a doctor or other qualified professional. Only a trained professional can diagnose autism. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
- What is autism? — NHS
- Signs of autism in children — NHS
- Signs of autism in adults — NHS
- Autism assessments — NHS
- Supporting an autistic child — NHS
- Autism and adult life — NHS
- Autism fact sheet — World Health Organization
- Singh J, et al. Age at autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and its association with child and family characteristics in a tertiary care hospital in Malaysia. Autism Res. 2024;17(3):637-649
- Han Y, et al. Validating the Malaysian modified checklist for autism in toddlers, revised with follow-up (M-CHAT-R/F): a cross-cultural adaptation. Front Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2023;2:1221933
- National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM)
- Talian HEAL 15555 tawar sokongan mental mula beroperasi — Sinar Harian
