Autism spectrum disorders, or ASDs, are a group of developmental disorders that affect a child's behavior, social interaction and communication skills. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics' Healthy Children website, the group of disorders, known as pervasive developmental disorders, or PDDs, include Asperger syndrome, autistic disorder and PDD-not otherwise specified. Autism is a lifelong problem, but with proper intervention, the autistic child can show improvement. Usually, by three years of age, children with autism show differences in how they interact with people and other unusual behavior, notes the National Institute of Mental Health, or NIMH.
Behavioral Differences
Children with autism show behavior differences that are stereotypic, repetitive and restrictive, or with a limited focus. The early signs of ASD are usually noticed by parents, who determine something is not quite right. The child's behavior is normal from birth, then the behavior changes. A babbling, active toddler will suddenly become withdrawn, silent and self-abusive, notes the NIMH. Examples of stereotypical behavior include body rocking, spinning, twirling fingers, head rolling and flapping hands, notes the Healthy Children website. The child will enjoy spinning the wheels of a toy truck instead of playing with the entire toy. The autistic toddler likes a routine and follows order and rituals on a routine basis. Attempting to change his favorite television channel will upset him. The website also mentions that these children often gaze or look at objects in a peculiar way. They may have extreme sensitivity or no sensitivity at all to smell, sound, lights, touch and textures.
Social Differences
The degree of social symptoms varies among toddlers; they can range from mild to severe. Signs of social differences in the toddler might include resistance to snuggling when parents pick them up, little or no eye contact, lack of smiling at a parent's excitement or pleasant facial expressions, avoiding looking at objects parents point at, not retrieving objects to bring to parents, not looking at people when spoken to and lack of social interaction with other children, notes the Healthy Children website. According to the NIMH, some parents note a sudden change where others observe a gradual one.
Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
In severe cases of autism, toddlers cannot communicate at all, claims the Mayo Clinic. In less severe instances, the toddler may lose his ability to say words or sentences he previously was able to say, or speak in a strange tone or rhythm. He may sound like a robot when he talks. Other communication problems might include the inability to keep a conversation going or starting one. Parents may notice other communication problems that include repeating what others say without understanding what is said, known as echolalia; not responding to his name; calling himself "you" and others "I"; and no response to hearing his name, notes the Healthy Children website. All children with ASD need developmental and education services to maximize their potential.
