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Signs & Sympoms of Autism

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 1 in 110 children have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a group of developmental disabilities that can range from mild to severe. Autism is an ASD that generally appears during early childhood and results in challenges with communication, social interactions and behavior. Early detection and intervention is key to the treatment of autism, so it is important to recognize symptoms that may indicate an ASD.

  1. Social Indicators

    • Impaired social interactions are a trademark of autism, and can manifest as early as the first year of life. Children with autism generally do not interact with others in a typical way. Common signs of autism related to social behavior are avoiding eye contact, failure to respond to his or her name, a preference for being alone, and indifference to the feelings of others. Autistic children will often passively accept or resist affectionate acts such as cuddling and hugs, and have difficulty interpreting social cues such as facial expressions and gestures. People with autism may have trouble controlling their emotions, resulting in physical or verbal outbursts.

    Language and Communication

    • Delayed and impaired language and communication skills are a common sign of autism. Autistic children tend to start speaking later than other children, and in some cases may never acquire speech. They may regress with their speech, losing previously acquired language skills. Those with autism sometimes use atypical rhythm and tone, such as a singsong voice or flat, robotic speech. They may repeat the same word or phrase, or echo back what they hear. They may not use normal communicative gestures, such as waving. It can be difficult for those with autism to engage in meaningful conversation and communicate how they feel, resulting in frustrations for all involved parties.

    Behavioral Symptoms

    • Autism can often be evident through unusual physical behaviors. Repetitive movements, such as rocking, hand flapping, twirling or head banging, may be prevalent with varying degrees of severity. Autistic children often develop precise routines or rituals, and can become disturbed and upset by a disruption in those routines. They may become deeply preoccupied with a particular object or subject. Children with autism often will not engage in imaginative or interactive play, but rather will spend hours lining up toys or other objects. They may be unusually sensitive to sound, light, touch and taste.

    Developmental Milestones

    • A key to recognizing the signs of autism is to be aware of normal developmental milestones, such as smiling, waving and speaking, so that possible developmental delays are easier to spot. Children with autism may reach physical milestones in a normal timeframe, but be delayed in language, learning and social skills. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed the "Learn the Signs. Act Early." website (see "Resources") and informational campaign to help parents, educators and caregivers recognize developmental delays that could indicate autism. Parents who are concerned about their child's development should seek help from a doctor.

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