Symptoms of Autism in Children

If you suspect your child may be autistic, one of the first things you should do is review the symptoms of autism in children. Once you have determined that your child does, in fact, display real symptoms of the disorder, you can turn to the proper organizations for help, education, and treatment.

The symptoms of autism often begin to show in infancy.

What Is Autism?

Autism is a little understood developmental disorder that affects communication, social, and language skills. In some children, motor and cognitive skills are also disrupted.

Autism is not a cut-and-dried diagnosis. Broad differences exist in patients with the same diagnosis. Some children with autism are highly functioning, while others have difficulty with the most basic tasks. For example, people with Asperger Syndrome are considered high functioning; they may have social problems and intense shyness but be otherwise "normal".

Symptoms of autism are usually noticed in infancy, although many kids are not diagnosed until much later. Many parents take a "wait and see" approach, hoping that their kids will outgrow the signs. Other parents simply aren't aware of appropriate developmental milestones. Still others live in denial, telling themselves that all is well.

Conditions That Mimic the Symptoms of Autism in Children

Since autism is a disorder with symptoms across several areas, it can mimic other communication and neurological disorders. Some conditions with similar symptoms are:

• Hearing impairment
• Speech delay
• Childhood schizophrenia
• Mental retardation
• Obsessive-compulsive disorders
• Selective mutism
• Personality disorder
• Attachment disorder

Major Symptoms of Autism in Children

Signs of autism in children can vary depending on the severity of the disorder and the specific type of autism. Still, certain behaviors are characteristic of autistic children.

Lack of Response

One of the most telling symptoms of autism in children is a marked lack of response to the outside world. Autistic children frequently seem lost in their own world, completely unaware of others. These children do not respond to their own names; they do not follow even the most basic of directions. The complete and utter lack of response can imitate deafness, and tests should be performed to rule out hearing impairment.

Poor Language Skills

Most autistic children, with the exception of those with Asperger syndrome, display poor or nonexistant language skills. Many fail to meet speech milestones and are frequently years behind their peers. Autistic children often have great difficulty expressing themselves, frequently throwing temper tantrums instead of using speech. Some autistic children regress in speech and language skills, appearing to lose the milestones they once reached.

Preference for Solitude

Autistic children have difficulty interacting with others, preferring solitude over group play. These children often tune people out completely. They frequently fail to connect at all, not even responding to smiles, waves, or eye contact.

Unusual Play Patterns

Autistic children do not usually play in the same way other children play. For example, most autistic children dislike pretend play and many do not play with toys in the typical ways. Instead, they may form unusual attachments to toys or objects or spend hours lining up or stacking items.

Odd Movements

Autistics also demonstrate odd movements, such as:

• Rocking back and forth
• Spinning in circles
• Repeats the same actions

Resistance to Change

Another key symptom of autism in children is a rigid resistance to change. Autistic children get firmly attached to schedules and fall into violent tantrums when the schedule is interrupted. Likewise, children with autism have trouble being in new places, preferring the familiar to the unknown.

What to Do

If, after reviewing the characteristics of autistics, you find that your child does display many of the symptoms, it is important that you seek an unbiased diagnosis. Contact your pediatrician or your local school district. If your child is younger than 3-years-old, your local Early Childhood Intervention office can perform tests for you. If your child is diagnosed with the disorder, seek treatment for your child and support for yourself. For more information about autism in children, visit the National Autism Association.

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