Learn the Signs
What are the signs of Autism?
The autism diagnosis age and intensity of autism’s early signs vary widely. Some infants show hints in their first months. In others, behaviours become obvious as late as age 2 or 3.
Not all children with autism show all the signs. Many children who don’t have autism show a few. That’s why professional evaluation is crucial.
Important to Understand
- No single behaviour is indicative of autism. The significant factor is a pattern of behaviours from four essential areas: language/communication, ways of relating, responses to sensory stimuli, and developmental discrepancies.
- Some of the behavioural indicators may be intense, while others may be relatively mild.
- The significant difference in autism is the intensity and persistence of the behaviour beyond the normal developmental stage.
Behavioural Indicators in Young Children
Language/Communication
How a child communicates, speaks and expresses themselves
- Has flat or limited facial expressions
- Does not use gestures
- Rarely initiates communication
- Fails to imitate sounds or actions
- May have little or no speech or may be quite verbal
- Repeats or echoes words or phrases
- Uses unusual vocal intonation/rhythm
- Seems not to understand word meanings
- Understands and uses words literally
Relating to People
How a child connects with people
- Is unresponsive
- Has no social smile
- Does not communicate with the eyes
- Eye contact is limited/fleeting
- Seems content when left alone
- Seeks social contact in unusual ways
- Does not play turn-taking games
- Uses adult’s hand as a tool
Relating to Environment
How a child connects with their environment
- Play is repetitive
- Is upset by or resists changes
- Develops rigid routines
- Drifts aimlessly about
- Exhibit strong and inflexible interests
Responses to sensory stimuli
How a child reacts to what they see, hear, touch, taste & smell
- Sometimes seems deaf
- Exhibits panic related to specific sounds
- Is oversensitive to sound
- Plays with light and reflections
- Flicks fingers before eyes
- Pulls away when touched
- Strongly avoids certaain clothes, foods, etc
- Is attracted to specific patterns/textures/odours
- Is very inactive or very active
- May whirl, spin, bang head, bite wrist
- May jump up and down and/or flap hands
- Exhibits unusual or no response to pain
Developmental Discrepancies
Skills are either very good or very delayed. Learns skills out of normal sequence:
- Reads but does not understand meaning
- Draws detailed pictures but cannot button coat
- Is very good with puzzles, pegs, etc. but very poor at following directions
- Walks at normal age but cannot communicate
- Echoed speech is fluent while self-generated speech is not fluent
- Can do things sometimes but not at other times
Get Involved
& Make a Difference!
Your support can change lives. With the right help at the right time, individuals with autism can thrive and achieve their full potential. We welcome contributions of all kinds — land, buildings, equipment, financial support, and volunteers like you. Join us in making a lasting impact today!