Know the Signs

Symptoms

Children with autism generally have problems in three crucial areas of development — social interaction, language and behavior. But because the symptoms of autism vary greatly, two children with the same diagnosis may act quite differently and have strikingly different skills. In most cases, though, the most severe autism is marked by a complete inability to communicate or interact with other people.

Many children show signs of autism in early infancy. Other children may develop normally for the first few months or years of life but then suddenly become withdrawn, aggressive or lose language skills they’ve already acquired. Though each child with autism is likely to have a unique pattern of behavior, these characteristics are common signs of the disorder:

Language

•Starts talking later than other children

•Loses previously acquired ability to say words or sentences

•Does not make eye contact when making requests

•Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm — may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech

•Can’t start a conversation or keep one going

•May repeat words or phrases verbatim, but doesn’t understand how to use them

Behavior

•Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand-flapping

•Develops specific routines or rituals

•Becomes disturbed at the slightest change in routines or rituals

•Moves constantly

•May be fascinated by parts of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car

•May be unusually sensitive to light, sound and touch and yet oblivious to pain

Social skills

• Fails to respond to his or her name
• Has poor eye contact
• Appears not to hear you at times
• Resists cuddling and holding
• Appears unaware of others’ feelings
• Seems to prefer playing alone — retreats into his or her “own world”