AUTISM SIGNS
SIGNS SYMPTOMS OF AUTISM
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Autism Signs
It can be quite difficult to pinpoint the signs symptoms of autism.
This is because autism is a spectrum disorder and children with it, can be
anywhere within the spectrum from mild aspergers syndrome to severe autism at the other end.
It is also possible for children to move up and down the spectrum dependant on age, circumstances and stress levels etc.
The other difficulty with listing symptoms is that each person with autism is unique.
This makes some of the symptoms that are listed on the internet quite generalised and not always true for each child.
One of the most important things to bear in mind is that you are your child's parent or carer, and you know your child better than anybody else.
If you are worried don't be fobbed off. One of the most important points with autism is
early intervention, to help your child develop to their full potential.
Autism signs can really be split into four categories:
COMMUNICATION
Your child may appear to be deaf.
Your child may not not babble, point, or make meaningful gestures by 1 year of age
Your child may not speak one word by 16 months
Your child may not combine two words by 2 years
Your child may not respond to name
Your child may lose their language or social skills
On the other hand you may notice these autism signs:
Speaks but repeats words from films or people over and over (it's called echolalia
May speak only about their favorite interest ie trains, to anybody.
Your child speaks well but sometimes sounds like a little professor.
Your child talks but sounds a bit like a robot ie, their speech always sound the same a bit like a drone with no intonation.
You may notice that your child does not respond quickly when you ask a question (may be because of processing information time)
Your child may appear confused when you have asked a fairly simple thing
You may notice that your child struggles with following directions (they may only be able to do one instruction of the three you gave)
Your child may be able to give a very detailed description of a room, but little information about the people in it.
You may find that it may appear as though your child has understood something but ask deeper questions and it's clear they havn't
Your child may not understand jokes
Your child may take what you say literally ie, if you say it's raining cats and dogs, or we are going swimming in the car, or christmas is just around the corner You may find that it may appear as though your child has understood something but ask deeper questions and it's clear they havn't
autism signs
SOCIAL INTERACTION
You little one may not like playing peek-a-boo
Your child may be more interested in looking at things rather faces.
Your child may appear to be in their own world avoiding interaction.
Your child may have difficulty playing with other children (for children up to three this is fairly normal)
Your child may not make any attempts to get your attention
There may be no or little eye contact, or an overly staring at people.
There may be inappropriate laughing or giggling.
Your child may not point or bring things to show you.
Your child may not follow or look up when someone is pointing at something
Your child may prefer to be alone
Your child may avoid other children or adults
Your child may find it difficult to talk to other children and adults.
Your child may be very controlling of others
Your child may struggle with turn taking and sharing, even at the ages of 7 and older.
Your child may touch others inappropriately ie, smacking another child on the bottom (it is not a sexual activity)
They may respond badly if a child or adult touches them, on the head, if they are in a line and somebody brushes against them.
Your child may not understand the rules of games.
Your child may hate it if they see other children break the rules(this can also be with their perceived rules) and tell on them.
Your child may not understand if other children do not do things they have said they will do.
autism signs
FLEXIBILITY OF THOUGHT - Imagination
Your child may have inappropriate attachment to objects
Your child may find it difficult to play imaginatively
You may notice that your child simply lines up toys or stacks blocks such as lego and that is it.
You may notice your child is very inflexible around changes ie. in routine.
Some people believe that these kids lack empathy, however, most parents would say their children do show empathy.
Your child may be very inflexible in their thought processes.
Your child may believe that you know things that they do, ie you think the same as they do, this is called theory of mind.
Your child may only understand black and white concrete speech, any grey areas will confuse so if you say maybe, later. I'll think about it you may find they get confused or angry.
autism signs
SENSORY ISSUES
Your child may react to noise (puts hand over ears all the time)
Dislikes bright lights or certain kinds of light.
May hate to be touched(not all kids with autism dislike hugs)
May hate hair to be brushed.
Your child may dislike baths or the drying afterward.
Your child may resist certain clothing (tight, stitching on inside, materials etc.)
Food may be an issue(textures, colors, smell,taste)to be avoided or may eat anything (called pica) including non edible items like wallpaper or stones.
Your child may dislike buildings of a certain height, tall trees, moving cars etc.
Your child may dislike smells of people or buildings.
Your child may love the taste of only certain foods.
Your child may love the feel of certain objects and want to touch them all the time.
Your child may hate light touch such as being brushed against, but may love to be wrapped tightly in a blanket or being hugged tightly.
Your child may be obsessive about jumping on the trampoline or may love the motion of a swing.
autism signs
firstsigns.org is dedicated to looking at the early signs of autism.
To find out who to speak to about referring your child for Early Intervention services in your area, you can contact the National Dissemination
Center for Children with Disabilities or call 1-800-695-0285 Your local Department of Health or Department of Mental Health
may also provide you with information on how you may apply for Early Intervention services in your state.
