General Hospital setting up story line to examine Autism Spectrum Disorder

Leo is on the Spectrum and nobody noticed but Austin

As happens in many families, loved ones think that is just Joey or Mary being Mary. In this case and for this story line,  Olivia and others in the Quartermaine mansion were thinking, "that is just Leo being Leo."  

When Austin spoke to Ned alone, Ned said he had wondered about Leo's quietness and his withdrawal from family life and activities. He said Olivia thinks of Leo as shy.  So many families think their children are shy until they are forced to face the fact that what is going on with their child is  much more than shyness.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is not something to be ashamed about.  Not getting your child the proper help, learning tools and getting them in the right situations with the people that can help them would be something to be ashamed about. 

Join General Hospital as this story line lights the way to discovery of and how to recognize the signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder. 
Children or adults with ASD might:

• not point at objects to show interest (for example, not point at an airplane flying over)
• not look at objects when another person points at them
• have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all
• avoid eye contact and want to be alone
• have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings
• prefer not to be held or cuddled, or might cuddle only when they want to
• appear to be unaware when people talk to them, but respond to other sounds
• be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play, or relate to them
• repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language
• have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
• not play “pretend” games (for example, not pretend to “feed” a doll)
• repeat actions over and over again
• have trouble adapting when a routine changes
• have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
• lose skills they once had (for example, stop saying words they were using)

Tune in as Olivia has to face the facts about her son and how she can get him the help so he can lead his best life. 

Adults look on as Leo doesn't hear what Ned is saying to him

Leo is intrigued with the fidget spinner Austin has given him