Signs of autism
Individuals with ASD show difficulties with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors or restricted interests. However, children with ASD differ greatly in the severity and types of behaviors observed. Examples of symptoms in the three areas necessary for an ASD diagnosis include:
Social interaction
- Makes little eye contact
- Does not respond to name when called
- Does not respond to a parent’s smile or other facial expressions
- Does not point things out or show objects of interest to others
- Does not share hugs or affection
- Lack of interest in social activities with other children
Communication
- Delayed language development (or loses words after developing them)
- Does not use gestures or pointing to communicate despite the lack of language
- Difficulty or delay in the development of pretend play
- May repeat or echo words, phrases or memorized scripts over and over
- Difficulty starting or maintaining conversations with others
Behaviors and interests
- Rocks, spins, sways, twirls fingers or flaps hands
- Strong adherence to routines, order, rituals
- Preoccupied with parts of toys or objects or observes them from odd angles
- Obsessed with a few repetitive activities or holding specific items
- Intense area of interest that is abnormal in intensity or focus
