Autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder, affects an average of one in 110 children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is four to five times more likely to affect boys than than girls and occurs in all ethnic, racial and socioeconomic groups. Autism usually appears before the age of 3, indicated by social and communication difficulties. The National Human Genome Research Institute describes autism as ranging in severity, from "relatively mild social and communicative impairments to a severe disability requiring lifelong parental, school and societal support."
Communication Difficulties
For children with autism, verbal communication may be absent or delayed. Conversation that does occur may be disjointed, unconnected or stilted. Children with autism may be unable to understand the nuances of non-verbal communication, including tone of voice or eye contact. Also, some children with autism may exhibit from odd gestures, facial expressions and speech patterns.
Developmental Delays
It's common for autistic children to develop normally for the first several years of their lives and then develop delays. For children with autism, developmental delays often relate to learning, language and social skills. Autistic children sometimes display out-of-order learning. For example, they might read complicated words even before they can identify the sounds that letters make.
Social Challenges
Autistic children often struggle to interact with others, including both adults and children. In fact, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke refers to impaired social interaction as the hallmark feature of autism. A child with autism may appear withdrawn and uninterested in what others are saying or doing. He may be challenged to play with other children through lack of interest and an inability to understand how to play.
Repetitive Behaviors
Children with autism often exhibit various repetitive behaviors, including hand flapping, spinning and rocking. Rather than playing with a variety of toys, they may play with the same toy over and over again. Some autistic children develop strong attachments to certain toys or objects. Often, autistic children are resistant to change in routines or schedules.
