| Autism is a complicated disorder that many | | | | Where most children start imitating sounds, words |
| parents have to adjust to once their child is | | | | and gestures, children with autism do not |
| diagnosed with it. It is one of the disorders that is | | | | communicate as early and do not often show the |
| difficult to pin down, but for which its | | | | desire to communicate. And when they do talk, |
| characteristics can often be observed. It still is | | | | they speak in a strange tone. Where gestures are |
| best to consult your pediatrician if your child | | | | concerned, the child with autism tends to focus |
| exhibits signs of autism. Parents are often | | | | on the gesture itself and not the object of the |
| confused as to what would classify behaviors | | | | gesture. For example, if you point at an object, |
| linked to autism. Children often display behavior | | | | the child with autism will look at the hand rather |
| prior to three years of age. There are three signs | | | | than the object. |
| of the disorder that commonly identify it as | | | | Lastly, behavior should be noted. Children with |
| autism, however varied the degree in which these | | | | autism tend to stick to repetitive behavior. They |
| signs are exhibited by children. | | | | could be stacking books, jars, or blocks, create |
| One symptom of autism is stunted social skills. | | | | straight lines with their toys, flap their hands, |
| Instances of such behavior is indicated when the | | | | rocking their body, etc. They are also disturbed |
| child fails to acknowledge when a parent calls out | | | | with changes in routine. They also tend to focus |
| their name, nor do they appear to not hear you | | | | all their attention on a particular part of an object- |
| calling them. Children with autism also tend to live | | | | a spinning wheel of a toy car. |
| in a world of their own. They prefer to play alone, | | | | Other signs of autism apart from these three |
| sometimes disregarding other children in the | | | | major things include super skills like gross |
| vicinity, even resist being held and hugged. Other | | | | memorization of data and superior skills in musical |
| symptoms include no eye contact and using | | | | instruments, often termed as "autistic savants." |
| another person's hand to communicate something. | | | | Some develop sensitivity to too much stimuli like |
| Another sign of autism is the lack of | | | | light and noise, and under-responsivity like walking |
| communication and the delayed start of language. | | | | into doors and walls. |