Autism is a complex phenomena described as a biological disorder of the brain and is viewed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual as a pervasive developmental disorder marked by abnormal development in social interaction and communication combined with a restricted repertoire of activities and interests. Autism begins early in childhood, or even in the womb, and sufferers find it difficult to communicate and connect socially with others. Autism is described as a spectrum disorder because characteristics affects individuals differently and people with autism may have a below-average IQ or above-average IQ. There are common observable signs in children with autism in the areas of language and communication, social development, behavior, learning, sensory and physical. Characteristics will range from mild to severe.
Language and Communication
Children who have autism tend to have a language delay and difficulties in communication. Specific signs include little or no babbling by 12 months, not using gestures such as pointing and waving by 12 months, no single words by 15 months, and not using or understanding at least 50 words by 24 months. If a child has a loss of any language at any age, this may be a sign of autism. Children who have autism also have difficulty understanding and expressing language, difficulty understanding non-verbal cues and may engage in repetitive speech, such as echolalia.
Social Development
The Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders notes social deficits observed in children with autism, such as difficulty understanding facial expressions, difficulty initiating social interactions with others, difficulty responding to social initiations by others, little interest in other children, not seeking friendships and limited imitation skills. Children with autism prefer to play alone, have difficulty participating in group activities, taking turns in conversation, show little or no joint attention by not sharing achievements or interests with others, have a lack of imaginative play and tend to avoid new people.
Behavior
The behavior of children with autism can sometimes be puzzling to the observer. Behavioral signs of autism include engaging in repetitive behaviors, known as self stimulation, such as hand flapping, spinning objects, staring at hands, twirling and teeth grinding and excessive laughing. It is common to observe children with autism putting objects in straight lines and attending to parts of objects instead of the whole object. Children with autism tend to insist on routines and may tantrum when the schedule is interrupted. Tantrums involve crying, screaming, lying on the floor and kicking.
Learning
It is common for children with autism to have difficulty learning by observing others. They tend to have difficulty with abstract concepts and critical thinking. Generalizing and transferring skills learned in one environment to another environment may not be easy for them. Children with autism are able to learn with the methods of Applied Behavior Analysis such as shaping and reinforcement.
Sensory
Children with autism have unusual responses to certain senses such as sound, textures, smells, taste and sights. Signs include refusing to wear clothing with certain textures, squinting eyes at certain lights while staring at other lights, refusing to eat food with specific textures such as too mushy or soft, and appearing sensitive to certain sounds by holding their ears while sometimes appearing unaware of other sounds. Children with autism may also have low sensitivity to pain. Other signs include clumsiness and lack of balance, poor coordination, avoiding or over reaction to touch and poor eye contact.
Physical
Autism Speaks notes that there are physical characteristics in many children with autism. Seizures occur in 39 percent of children with autism. Gastrointestinal issues, such as having chronic constipation or diarrhea, is common in autism. Children with autism tend to have sleep problems and may engage in eating in objects that are not food, known as Pica.
References
- Autism Network International: Diagnostic Criteria for 299.00 Autistic Disorder
- Early Signs of Autism: Autism Signs: Identification in the Developing Child
- The Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders: Social Deficits Associated with Autism
- Autism Spectrum Disorders Fact Sheet: Sensory Problems and Autism
- Autism Speaks: Symptoms of Autism--Physical and Medical Issues That May Accompany Autism
