Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. The symptoms of autism can vary widely from person to person, but some common symptoms include:
- Delays in language development, or difficulty with communication and social interaction
- Repetitive behaviors, such as hand-flapping or rocking back and forth
- Difficulty with social cues, such as maintaining eye contact or understanding sarcasm
- Limited interests or repetitive routines
- Sensory sensitivities, such as aversion to certain textures or sounds
- Difficulty with change or transition
- Challenges with play and imaginative activities
It’s important to note that the symptoms of autism can range from mild to severe, and that individuals with autism may also have co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If you are concerned that someone you know may have autism, it is important to seek a comprehensive evaluation from a medical or behavioral health professional. It is possible for some individuals with autism to live independently as adults, but many will require support throughout their lives. Here are more etails on signs and symptoms of Autism:
Social difficulties
- Difficulty with eye contact. Many people with autism have a hard time looking at other people’s faces and will avoid eye contact altogether, especially if they’re uncomfortable or anxious. They may also have trouble understanding nonverbal cues such as body language or facial expressions.
- Difficulty making friends. People with autism often have difficulty initiating conversations and forming relationships with others due to their lack of social skills, so they may end up being more isolated than other children their age who are able to make friends more easily through playdates or parties held by friends’ parents (i.e., “playgroups”).
- Trouble understanding social situations/interactions: Since it can be difficult for someone with ASD to understand what is going on around him/her in a social setting like school or work–and why certain behaviors are considered inappropriate–he/she might inadvertently offend others without even realizing it!
Communication difficulties
- Autism is a developmental disorder that affects communication and social skills. Children with autism may have difficulty understanding the meaning of words, gestures, and social cues. They may also have trouble starting or maintaining conversations.
- Children with autism often struggle with nonverbal communication such as eye contact and facial expressions (the way someone looks at you to convey their feelings). Additionally, they may not be able to understand other people’s emotions or feelings easily–a skill known as empathy–and this can make them seem distant or cold-hearted to others around them.
Repetitive behaviors
- Repetitive speech and phrases.
- Repeating the same action over and over again, such as flapping hands or rocking back and forth on a swing.
- Obsession with a specific object, toy or game (this is called an obsession). Children may also become fixated on an idea that they can’t get off their mind–for example, having to touch everything in sight or insisting that all items must be arranged just so before they’ll leave the house for school each morning (another example of an obsession).
- Repetitive behaviors can be used by your child as ways to calm himself down when he feels overwhelmed.
Sensory issues
- Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a condition that affects the way your child’s brain processes information from their senses. Sensory processing refers to how we understand and respond to sights, sounds, smells and touch. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms can include sensory issues such as:
- Sensory seeking behavior – If a child with ASD loves certain textures or sounds, it may be because their brain craves them in order to feel calm or less overwhelmed. For example, some children might rub their hands together for comfort or chew on shirtsleeves because they enjoy the feeling of something against their skin.
- Sensorially defensive behaviors – Some children will pull away when touched by others; others may refuse baths because they don’t like getting wet; still others might refuse food because they find its texture unpleasant or difficult to chew/swallow.”
Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors
- Repetitive behaviors are repetitive actions that are performed over and over again. Examples include:
- Stimming (self-stimulatory behavior) is a type of repetitive behavior that can be very comforting to the person with autism. It may involve things like flapping hands or rocking back and forth, for example, but it has no obvious purpose or function other than providing sensory stimulation.
- Self-injurious behaviors are repetitive actions in which the person with autism may hurt themselves or cause injury to others. Examples include: Hitting against surfaces, biting skin, head banging and hair pulling.
Autism is a spectrum disorder. It affects each individual differently.
It is important to understand that autism is a spectrum disorder. This means that while there are specific symptoms associated with autism, they can vary in severity from person to person. Some people with autism have mild symptoms while others have more severe symptoms.
It is also important to know if you or someone you know has autism because it may be treatable with medication and therapy, which can help improve quality of life for both the individual who has been diagnosed as well as their family members and friends who support them in their daily lives.
Conclusion
Autism is a spectrum disorder. It affects each individual differently. The symptoms listed above are common, but not all people with autism will have all of them or experience them in the same way.
