Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that can affect behavior, communication, and social interaction. Some signs might show up as early as infancy but usually become more noticeable in the toddler years. Early identification is crucial for accessing support and improving outcomes. Continued investment in early screening, culturally competent care, and diagnostic capacity is essential to support children and families throughout Riverside County and the Coachella Valley. UCR Health Pediatrician, E. Caroline McGowan, MD, MS, provides further insight into recognizing signs of children’s autism and how to consult adequate resources after diagnosis.

Recognizing the Signs 

While some signs of autism are evident, others can be subtle:

• Communication Challenges: Delayed speech, limited eye contact, or difficulty understanding nonverbal cues. 

• Social Interaction Difficulties: Preferring solitude, struggling to make friends, or not responding to their name. 

• Repetitive Behaviors: Engaging in repetitive movements, routines, or fixations on specific interests. 

• Sensory Sensitivities: Overreacting or underreacting to sounds, lights, textures, or smells. 

• Emotional Regulation: Experiencing intense reactions to minor changes or frustrations. 

These signs can vary widely among individuals. If concerns arise, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional. 

Steps for Evaluation 

1. Consult Your Pediatrician: Discuss any observed behaviors or concerns. 

2. Developmental Screening: Pediatricians may use standardized tools to assess developmental milestones. 

3. Referral for Comprehensive Evaluation: If needed, a specialist can conduct a thorough assessment to determine if ASD is present. 

Local Resources in Riverside and Coachella Valley 

• Autism Society Inland Empire: Offers diagnostic assistance and support services.  
  • https://ieautism.org/
• SEARCH Center at UC Riverside: Provides assessments and resources for families.  
  • https://searchcenter.ucr.edu/

• Autism Behavior Services, Inc.: Offers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy in Riverside County.  
  • https://autismbehaviorservices.com/

• Coachella Valley Lighthouse: Provides early intervention services using ABA principles. 
  • https://www.cvlighthouse.com/

Understanding the Causes 

Research indicates that autism arises from a combination of genetic and environmental factors: 

• Genetic Factors: Certain genetic mutations and family history can increase the likelihood of ASD. 

• Environmental Factors: Prenatal exposures, such as maternal health conditions or certain environmental toxins, may contribute to risk.  

Vaccines and Autism 

Extensive research has shown no link between vaccines and autism. Studies involving large populations have consistently found that vaccines are safe and not associated with an increased risk of ASD.   

One of the most comprehensive studies was conducted in Denmark and published in 2002 in the New England Journal of Medicine. This large-scale, population-based study examined over 500,000 children and found no association between the MMR vaccine and autism. Similarly, a 2019 study in Annals of Internal Medicine involving over 650,000 Danish children reaffirmed these findings, showing no increased risk of autism associated with MMR vaccination—even among children who had siblings with autism, a group considered at higher risk for the condition. 

Other studies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and other countries have also consistently shown no causal link between vaccines and autism. For example, after Japan removed the MMR vaccine from its national schedule in the 1990s due to public concern, autism rates continued to rise—demonstrating that removing the vaccine had no impact on autism prevalence. 

Researchers have also explored whether thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative previously used in some vaccines, could be linked to autism. Extensive investigations by the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization found no credible evidence of harm. Moreover, thimerosal has been removed or reduced to trace amounts in all routine childhood vaccines in the U.S. since the early 2000s, yet autism diagnoses have continued to rise—further confirming that thimerosal was not a factor. 

In summary, the scientific consensus is clear: vaccines do not cause autism. 

Prevalence 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 31 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with autism. The increase in diagnoses is attributed to improved awareness and better diagnostic tools. 

California has made strides in early autism diagnosis. The median age of diagnosis for 8-year-old children in the state was 36 months, earlier than the national median of 49 months . Early identification is crucial for accessing interventions that can improve long-term outcomes 

Barriers to care 

Families in Riverside County and the Coachella Valley often face significant challenges when seeking autism diagnosis and support services. One of the primary barriers is limited access to specialists. There is a shortage of pediatric developmental experts in the region, which often results in long wait times for appointments. For families living in rural or desert areas—particularly in the eastern Coachella Valley—accessing care frequently requires long-distance travel, sometimes hours away, which adds both logistical and financial strain. 

Language and cultural barriers also contribute to delays in diagnosis. Many families in these areas speak Spanish as their primary language, and when services are not linguistically or culturally appropriate, it can lead to misunderstandings about the evaluation process or hesitation in seeking help. In some communities, cultural stigma around developmental disorders and mental health issues can further discourage families from pursuing evaluation and support. 

Insurance and financial hurdles compound these difficulties. While California mandates insurance coverage for autism-related services, families with Medi-Cal often have limited provider options, and navigating the insurance approval process for therapies such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) or speech therapy can be time-consuming and confusing. Additionally, early screening and referral processes are not always consistent across primary care clinics. In resource-limited settings, providers may lack the time or tools to perform standardized developmental screenings or recognize the subtler signs of autism, delaying referrals for formal assessments. 

Challenges also arise within the educational system. While schools may offer evaluations, these assessments are typically designed to determine eligibility for special education services, not to provide a formal medical diagnosis. Families often face delays in obtaining Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and a shortage of qualified staff like school psychologists can further impede timely intervention. 

Despite these challenges, local organizations are working to improve access. The SEARCH Center at UC Riverside, Autism Society Inland Empire, and First 5 Riverside provide bilingual support services, diagnostic resources, and care navigation to help families bridge these gaps.

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What is asthma?

“Asthma is a chronic lung disease that can start in childhood,” says Dr. McGowan. “They become more sensitive to triggers in the environment that cause the muscles that should stay open in your lungs to contract a bit too much. This can also happen when someone gets a cold or upper respiratory infection. This affects the way air is transported out of the lungs and that’s why people [with asthma] feel like they cannot catch their breath or have trouble breathing. Asthma can also cause chronic inflammation in the lungs. We also know that genetics play a role, close family members may be more likely to also develop asthma.”   

Although asthma symptoms can occur differently for every child, Dr. McGowan advises parents to speak with a pediatrician if their child has a chronic cough that lasts for more than three to four weeks, even after a cold. This chronic cough would be usually worse at night, which can disrupt the child’s sleep. 

What are the triggers?

Asthma can be triggered by environmental allergies, secondhand smoke, and pollen. Babies and children are exposed to secondhand smoke by breathing in the smoke particles that remain on clothing. This exposure has been associated with an increased likelihood of developing asthma or causing an asthma exacerbation (asthma attack). The best way to reduce the risks of secondhand smoke is to stop smoking, but if you do smoke and must be in contact with a child, Dr. McGowan recommends changing your clothes and brushing your teeth before holding or playing with children. 

What are the treatment options?

According to Dr. McGowan, the most common treatment is Albuterol, which is a muscle relaxer. When you have asthma, “the muscles in your lungs can become triggered and start to contract,” she adds. This is where Albuterol comes in for the rescue – it helps the muscles to relax and make it easier for the person to breathe. “Everyone who has been diagnosed with Asthma will most likely be prescribed Albuterol to use whenever they have shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or have a persistent coughing episode, shares Dr. McGowan. 

The next avenue of treatment is figuring out what the triggers are. Once you know what is causing you to have the symptoms, you can reduce the triggers to ease your symptoms. Dr. Mcgowan says, “If asthma is triggered by environmental allergies, getting those allergies under control, and sometimes using an antihistamine, such as allergy medications, would be especially important. Some may need to use an inhaled corticosteroid daily to help reduce the inflammation in their lungs. This helps reduce the number of asthma exacerbations and the need to use albuterol frequently." 

What should I do if my child has an asthma attack?

"If you have a child who has asthma, make sure you have an asthma action plan that you discuss with their pediatrician. This is a plan on what to do when you notice the signs of an asthma exacerbation,” says Dr. McGowan. These signs include:   

• Rapid and shallow breathing  
• Nasal flaring  
• Chest retractions - “If you look at their belly and ribs, you can see the muscles between the ribs rapidly going in and out, contracting to help them breathe”  

“If you have medication at home, you can use Albuterol and observe the child to see if there is improvement within minutes of using the medication,” Dr. McGowan said. However, you need to seek immediate medical attention if there’s no improvement or if they need to use Albuterol more frequently than every four hours.  Dr. McGowan states that these are all the signs that they should go to the nearest urgent care or emergency room to seek medical care. 

How can I maintain a healthy respiratory system?

Below are the tips from Dr. McGowan on how to keep your lungs healthy:  

• Stay active and exercise  
• Maintain personal hygiene – wash hands frequently and avoid close contact with people who are sick   
• Get fresh air when there’s not a high pollen count – try not to spend too much time outdoors if you have environmental triggers 
• Take allergy medicine prescribed by your doctor if you know you have allergies – take it preventatively 

Would you like to speak to a physician with concerns regarding asthma and allergies? To schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with a UCR Health Physician, click here or give us a call at 1-844-827-8000.

About UCR Health

UCR Health is comprised of a team of physicians, specialists, and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving people’s health. With five medical offices located throughout Inland Empire and Coachella Valley, UCR Health is growing to meet the healthcare needs of the region, bringing innovative, culturally sensitive medical care to the community. Established alongside the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, UCR Health’s patient-centered primary care and specialty services deliver university-based healthcare excellence and innovation to all communities.

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We are thrilled to be a Bronze Sponsor at this free, fun outdoor event which showcases all the wonderful programs and family oriented services available in the Coachella Valley and surrounding area. The event will take place at Silver Rock Event Site, La Quinta, CA from 10AM to 5PM! Want to learn more about the event? Visit the event page for additional information.

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We are proud to be an exhibitor at this free outdoor, family-friendly event at Galleria at Tyler from 10am to 3pm. All parents, grandparents, caregivers and kids are welcome to join us for a fun-filled day with live stage performances, giveaways, activities and games! Learn more here.

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What Is An Immunization?

Immunization is the process of protecting yourself against a virus or illness, hence becoming immune to an extent. Immunizations have helped us with many illnesses and viruses such as COVID-19, Hepatitis, and others. 

Why Is It Important to Receive An Immunization?

Receiving an immunization is strongly recommended, regardless of age. It can help prevent you from getting infected with many different types of viruses. Many healthcare providers strongly recommend getting specific immunizations to ensure you live a healthy life without getting a certain virus.

To speak with a physician about your immunizations and how they can benefit you, visit https://www.ucrhealth.org/make-an-appointment/.

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Schedule an appointment with Dr. Osei here → https://www.ucrhealth.org/make-an-appointment/

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Dr. Patel takes pride in providing pediatric health care for the Inland Empire. Some of his best moments are getting to treat children of previous patients whom he saw growing up since they were newborn themselves. His patient philosophy includes treating every patient with kindness, compassion, honesty, dignity and a smile. 

The post Sunil K. Patel, MD // UCR Health’s February 2021 Physician Highlight appeared first on UCR Health.