Most parents of autistic children suspect that something is wrong by the time the child is 18 months old and seek help by the time the child is age 2. The symptoms may vary from moderate to severe.
Children with autism typically have difficulties in:
Pretend play
Social interactions
Verbal and nonverbal communication
Communication problems may include:
Cannot start or maintain a social conversation
Communicates with gestures instead of words
Develops language slowly or not at all
Does not refer to self correctly
Does not point to direct others' attention to objects
Repeats words or memorized passages, such as commercials
Social interaction:
Does not make friends
Does not play interactive games
Is withdrawn
May not respond to eye contact or smiles, or may avoid eye contact
May treat others as if they are objects
Prefers to spend time alone, rather than with others
Response to sensory information:
Does not startle at loud noises
Has heightened or low senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste
May find normal noises painful and hold hands over ears
May withdraw from physical contact because it is overstimulating or overwhelming
Rubs surfaces, mouths or licks objects
Seems to have a heightened or low response to pain
Play:
Doesn't imitate the actions of others
Prefers solitary or ritualistic play
Shows little pretend or imaginative play
Behaviors:
"Acts up" with intense tantrums
Gets stuck on a single topic or task
Has a short attention span
Has very narrow interests
Is overactive or very passive
Shows aggression to others or self
Shows a strong need for sameness
Uses repetitive body movements
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