1. Compare Your Child's Behavior to Recognized Symptoms of Autism
Autistic children prefer to not interact with others on a personal basis, wanting instead to spend time alone, absorbed in just one or two favored activities. Such children may resist being touched and withdraw from physical contact and typically become distressed at loud noises. If your child is autistic, he may not respond when you speak to him. He may also be overly preoccupied with numbers, dates and patterns. Autistic children are also highly dependent on routines and will become agitated or combative if an established routine is interrupted or changed. If your child has any of these symptoms, he should be examined by a physician for a complete diagnosis. With a diagnosis in hand, you can then determine your best course of action.
2. Ask Your Child's Teacher About His Behavior in School
If your child's teacher reports that he is withdrawn from his peers and prefers to be solitary, that he has poor language skills or displays an unusual lack of age-appropriate motor skills, then your child may be exhibiting signs of autism. Most autistic children do not like to socialize and consequently have few, if any, friends. Many autistic children are also mildly retarded and may not do well in academic subjects. However, some have a high degree of intelligence in one subject; these children are known as savants, like the main character in the movie, "Rain Man."
3. Have Your Child Evaluated by a Psychologist
If you suspect your child may have autism, take him to see a psychologist for an official evaluation and diagnosis. Your local chapter of the Autism Society of America can help you locate a specialist. The psychologist will likely evaluate your child according to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale in order to determine if autism is the cause of your child's difficulties. If the psychologist believes autism is present, he will continue to use the scale to diagnose your child as having mild, moderate or severe autism.
