Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)

Signs and Symptoms

ASDs affect each child in different degrees. Two children with the same disorder can act very differently and can have very different skills. However, all children with ASDs share difficulties in social interaction, social communication, and repetitive and/or restrictive behaviors. 

Typical signs and symptoms related to social interaction problems include being less responsive to social or physical interactions, such as making eye contact, hugging, smiling, imitating, or being aware of other’s feelings.

Typical signs and symptoms related to social communication problems include losing or not developing speech or another method of communicating, such as pointing or gesturing. For example, a child may not have typical speaking skills for their age, not respond to their name or to parents’ questions, or appear not to understand simple requests.

Typical signs and symptoms related to repetitive behaviors or restricted interests include: 

• Plays with toys the same way every time and may focus on parts of toys or objects
• Gets upset by minor changes such as a change to their routine or location of objects
• Being very focused on one interest or topic
• Repeats words or phrases (called echolalia)
• Flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles
• Not imitating other’s actions
• Playing with toys in unusual ways, such as lining them up 

In addition, a child’s senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste) may be overactive or underactive. A child may: 

• Cover their ears
• Become stiff when held
• Remove clothes often
• Refuse to eat certain foods
• Smell objects frequently
• Become either overly quiet or hyperactive in noisy or bright environments 

Other related characteristics might include:

• Delayed language skills
• Delayed movement skills
• Delayed cognitive or learning skills
• Seizure disorder
• Unusual eating and sleeping habits
• Gastrointestinal issues (i.e., constipation)