Having a son with Autism has caused me to do a tremendous amount of research on the disorder. The following is a general description of behavioral traits one might observe in a child with Autism, but keep in mind that there is a wide spectrum of symptoms and only a professional can make the diagnosis. Typically symptoms are observed by the age of three:
1. Significant delay in, or complete lack of, meaningful language. The autistic child may grunt, hum, or make unusual sounds in place of language. He may repeat random phrases (like lines from television or movies) or use words in a nonsensical way. Those children who do speak are typically unable (or are severely limited in their ability) to sustain a conversation with others.
2. Repetitive Movements or Behavior Patterns. The child may move his body in a repetitive fashion, such as rocking, hand-flapping, twiddling fingers, or spinning. He may become fixated on certain toys or objects, manipulating them in unusual ways. Often the child will create meaningless behavioral rituals such as pacing back and forth to switch lights on and off, or lining up objects in his bedroom.
3. Lack of Appropriate Social Interactions. A child with autism may not bond significantly with parents or siblings, and often does not make friends or seek out peers of similar age. He may not demonstrate a desire to share joy, interests, or discoveries with others. (For example, he doesn’t smile and point to an electric train to “show” his excitement to someone else.) It is difficult and sometimes impossible for him to reciprocate the emotions of others. (Doesn’t laugh when others are laughing, or feel concern when someone is sad.)
4. Does not engage in symbolic or imaginative play. He may spin a toy car rather than make it drive along a track, or twist and untwist the hair of a doll rather than pretend he is holding a baby.
5. Difficulty in dealing with transition or change. The child will become agitated when required to change activities or locations, or when an unexpected event interrupts the typical day’s routine.
6. Hypersensitivity to sounds or stimuli. An autistic child may plug his ears and scream when the dishwasher is running, or refuse to wear certain clothing because the material bothers him in some way. The sound of rain falling may be upsetting, or he might ring a doorbell repeatedly because the chime is somehow soothing. All sorts of normal stimuli can affect an autistic child in atypical ways.
This is a general guideline and should not be used for diagnosis. If you are concerned that your child has any of these symptoms, consult with your pediatrician. (Be sure to read my “Is Something Wrong with My Child?” blog.)
I checked my own knowledge against The Diagnostic Criteria for Autistic Disorder, from the 2000 Revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR).
For more information on childhood autism, visit www.autism-society.org, or www.autism.org.