Autism & It’s Symptoms

Autism & It’s Symptoms

What is Autism?

Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder, is a developmental disorder characterized by communication, social, and behavior challenges. The condition is lifelong and symptoms can vary considerably from one person to the next.

Symptoms involve challenges or differences in motor skills and both intellectual and social abilities. People with autism may learn, act, think, communicate, and interact differently than people who do not have autism spectrum disorder.

Autism is referred to as a spectrum disorder because there is so much variation in terms of the type of symptoms people experience and the severity of those symptoms. 

Symptoms

While people with autism spectrum disorder may not show all of these symptoms, they usually show several of the following:

• Trouble making eye contact
• Difficulty following and engaging in conversations
• Extreme distress when routines are even slightly disrupted
• Facial expressions that don't match verbal communication
• Intense interest in certain subjects
• Lack of enjoyment in activities
• Problems expressing feelings or needs in words
• Not engaging in “pretend” play
• Slow or absent response to people trying to gain their attention
• Sensitivity to sensory stimuli including taste, light, and smell
• Stimming behaviors (i.e., self-stimulating, repetitive actions such rocking, walking on toes, or flapping hands)
• Trouble seeing things from another person’s point of view