| Because no two people with autism will exhibit the | | | | routine can be very upsetting to children with |
| same symptoms, sometimes autism can be hard | | | | ASDs. |
| for parents to pin down. Fortunately, the Centers | | | | Associated Features |
| for Disease Control and Prevention's Autism | | | | A range of other behaviors and disorders can be |
| Information Center provides a comprehensive | | | | associated with ASDs, such as hyperactivity, |
| checklist of what symptoms children with autism | | | | aggressiveness, and self-injury. Abnormal eating |
| spectrum disorders (ASDs) may exhibit. | | | | and sleeping habits, or laughing or crying at unusual |
| Social Skills | | | | times (or showing no emotion when you'd expect |
| One of the main impairments of people with | | | | a reaction) are other symptoms of ASDs. People |
| ASDs is social impairment. This goes beyond just | | | | with ASDs may fear harmless objects, but not |
| "shyness" and is often combined with other | | | | be afraid of truly dangerous things. |
| problems, like trouble with communication skills. | | | | Pattern of Development |
| People with ASDs may not be interested in other | | | | While patterns of development vary somewhat |
| people at all, or have trouble interacting with peers | | | | from child to child, children with ASDs develop at |
| or imitating others. Playing social games like | | | | different rates; some have delays in language, |
| peek-a-boo, for instance, may hold no interest for | | | | others with social development. Some may be |
| a child with ASD. Although it is hard for all children | | | | very good at solving problems, but have trouble |
| to learn to take turns and to share, children with | | | | making friends. |
| ASDs have a particularly difficult time with this | | | | Red Flags |
| concept. | | | | Some "red flags" for ASDs include not playing |
| Communication | | | | "pretend" games; not pointing at objects; having |
| Some children with ASDs my have only slight | | | | trouble relating to others and avoiding eye |
| language delays, but about 40% of children with | | | | contact; appearing unaware when spoken to; |
| ASDs do not speak at all. Others may have some | | | | repeating or echoing phrases or words; repeating |
| words and then lose them, or not speak until later | | | | actions over and over; having trouble accepting |
| in childhood. Some people with ASDs may repeat | | | | change in routine; and losing skills once obtained |
| the same words over and over, and have a hard | | | | (for instance, ceasing to say words already |
| time understanding body language or tone of | | | | learned). |
| voice. They may not be able to participate in a | | | | Seek a Diagnosis and Treatment if You Suspect |
| give-and-take conversation, instead talking a great | | | | Autism |
| deal about things that interest them. | | | | If you are concerned that your child exhibits signs |
| Repeated Behaviors and Routines | | | | of an ASD, your first step should be to schedule |
| Repetitive motions (rocking side to side, flapping | | | | an appointment with your pediatrician to address |
| the arms, or repeatedly turning a light off and on) | | | | your concerns. He or she may refer you to a |
| can be symptoms of ASDs. Some people with | | | | specialist who can make additional assessments. |
| ASDs develop unusual routines, like having to look | | | | Autism is treatable, but, as with any disorder, the |
| in every window of a building, and being unable to | | | | sooner you can get a diagnosis and treatment, |
| do these things will elicit frustration. A change in | | | | the better. |