|  | Conditions Treatments | Autism

The Symptoms of Autism

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate with, and relate to, the world around them. It is an umbrella term for an entire spectrum of conditions, and the severity and types of symptoms can vary greatly.

  1. Communication Difficulties

    • One of the primary symptoms of autism is difficulty with expressive language. Individuals with very severe autism may be unable to speak at all.

    Lack of Social Skills

    • Autism is characterized by a lack ability to understand emotions in both the self and others. People with autism typically avoid eye contact and express a limited range of emotions.

    Ritualistic Behaviors

    • Such behaviors may include rocking, hand-flapping or other repetitive motions. Other autistic individuals perform rituals such as repeatedly counting items or arranging objects in a certain way.

    Difficulty with Transitions

    • People with autism may become disoriented, agitated or upset about any changes in their regular schedule or their surroundings. They often have great difficulty with transitions or with events that do not happen regularly.

    Abnormal Reactions to the Environment

    • Most individuals with autism have problems processing sensory stimuli and may either become overwhelmed by it, or require constant stimulus to help calm them. Everyday noises, smells or lights can cause discomfort to autism sufferers.

Autism - Related Articles