The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke estimates that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autistic disorder, with the condition being more prevalent in males than females. Autism is among the developmental disorders, which are first seen in childhood and are characterized by severe impairments in areas such as social interaction, communication and behavior. The autistic child does not develop appropriately in these areas and displays marked differences to others his own age. Though autism is a lifelong condition, symptoms typically first appear before age 3.
Social
A child displaying symptoms of autism will typically have significant impairments in social interactions. He may have poor eye contact and inappropriate facial expressions and is unable to form friendships. Social cues, indicators on how to interact with others, are severely restricted in autistic children. The "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition)" (DSM-IV) states that autistic children show little empathy for others, are unable to observe or meet others' needs and simply are not aware of the presence of those around them. A younger child or infant may be "uncuddly" and not respond to a caregiver's attempts at interacting with him. He will prefer to play alone rather than engage in spontaneous play with other children. Typically, the child is indifferent to affectionate gestures by others. As he gets older, the autistic child will seem to have no interest in forming friendships. If he does display an interest, his impaired social skills and inadequate non-verbal behaviors will prevent him from forming these relationships.
Communication
Language skills are severely impaired in autistic children. Many individuals do not speak at all or may have very limited verbal abilities. Typical play seen in childhood, such as make-believe play, is beyond the ability of the autistic child. If speech is present, it is often monotonous in tone, repetitious or unusual. Language comprehension is extremely delayed. The child will not understand typical conversational interactions, such as being asked a question or asked to perform a task. Younger children will often be thought to have a hearing problem because they fail to respond when addressed, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Behavior
Odd behaviors are typically seen among those with autistic disorder. The DSM-IV characterizes this behavior as "restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities." An autistic child may display rocking movements, hand flapping or walking on tiptoe. There may be a fascination with a single object or event. She may line up toy cars repeatedly or be fixated on a moving object, such as a ceiling fan. Inconsequential facts may be memorized, such as a phone number, and repeated incessantly. She may be distressed at any changes in routine and can be extremely resistant to change.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Autism Fact Sheet
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Pervasive Developmental Disorders Information Page
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition)"; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Autism and Communication
