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Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Key Points

• Developmental Disability: ASD is caused by differences in the brain.
• Social Challenges: Problems with social communication and interaction.
• Behavioral Patterns: Restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests.
• Learning and Attention: Different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.
• Note: Some people without ASD might also have these symptoms, but for those with ASD, these characteristics can make life challenging.

Signs and Symptoms

Social Communication and Interaction Skills

Social communication and interaction can be particularly challenging for individuals with ASD. Common characteristics include:

• Avoids or does not keep eye contact.
• Does not respond to name by 9 months of age.
• Does not show facial expressions such as happy, sad, angry, and surprised by 9 months of age.
• Does not play simple interactive games like pat-a-cake by 12 months of age.
• Uses few or no gestures by 12 months of age (e.g., does not wave goodbye).
• Does not share interests with others by 15 months of age (e.g., shows you an object they like).
• Does not point to show something interesting by 18 months of age.
• Does not notice when others are hurt or upset by 24 months (2 years) of age.
• Does not notice other children and join them in play by 36 months (3 years) of age.
• Does not pretend to be something else, like a teacher or superhero, during play by 48 months (4 years) of age.
• Does not sing, dance, or act for you by 60 months (5 years) of age.

Restricted or Repetitive Behaviors or Interests

People with ASD often exhibit behaviors or interests that can seem unusual. These behaviors set ASD apart from conditions defined by problems with social communication and interaction alone. Examples include:

• Lines up toys or other objects and gets upset when order is changed.
• Repeats words or phrases over and over (echolalia).
• Plays with toys the same way every time.
• Focuses on parts of objects (e.g., wheels).
• Gets upset by minor changes.
• Has obsessive interests.
• Must follow certain routines.
• Flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles.
• Has unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel.

Other Characteristics

Most people with ASD have other related characteristics, which might include:

• Delayed language skills.
• Delayed movement skills.
• Delayed cognitive or learning skills.
• Hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive behavior.
• Epilepsy or seizure disorder.
• Unusual eating and sleeping habits.
• Gastrointestinal issues (e.g., constipation).
• Unusual mood or emotional reactions.
• Anxiety, stress, or excessive worry.
• Lack of fear or more fear than expected.

It is important to note that children with ASD may not exhibit all or any of the behaviors listed here.

For any concerns about your child's development, contact your child's doctor.

Block Work Media, in association with Autism Latino, shares this data in hopes of fostering understanding. As parents of our son Tommie, we write this to inform and support the community.

#AutismAwareness #ASDSigns #AutismSymptoms #AutismLatino #SupportAutism #AutismCommunity #EndStory #BlockWorkMedia #Tommie #AutismParents #UnderstandingASD #DevelopmentalDisabilities

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DATA SOURCE: Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder | Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | CDC