Symptoms of Autism in Children

Autism symptoms in children can be observed as early as 3 years. The symptoms of autism are well marked so they can be easily differentiated from normal behaviour. By observing the behavioural patterns one can help an autistic child in the early stages itself. Read on to know about the symptoms of autism in children.There are various symptoms of autism exhibited by an autistic child. Children having autism have impaired social interaction, repetitive behaviours and communication problems. The signs of autism are visible in the child during babyhood which by the age of 3 years is diagnosed as autism.Some children may develop normally till the age of two years after which their development retreats quickly. Some of the symptoms may be self-abusive behaviour, banging their head, rocking or biting. If you feel your child is autistic here are some symptoms of autism. In this articleImpaired Social Interaction SymptomsDifficulty with Communication SkillsRepetitive BehavioursSensory Symptoms of Autism in ChildrenOther Symptoms of Autism in ChildrenCommon Symptoms of Autism in ChildrenAutism symptoms are classified into social symptoms, communication symptoms and repetitive behaviours.Impaired Social Interaction SymptomsImpaired social interaction is the most common symptom of autism. Here the child is unable to communicate effectively with people around and also finds it very difficult to interact. The child may exhibit the following behaviours:Constant focus on a particular item for a long period of timeShows no response to peopleCan not have eye-contactMay prefer to stay or play aloneAbnormal speech patterns i.e. may repeat some words continuously over a long period of time.Inability in understanding facial gestures and expressionsDifficulty in perceiving things from other’s perspectivesTrouble in regulating emotionsAggressive behaviour at timesHead-banging, pulling hair, breaking items, hurting themselves, biting their armDifficulty with Communication SkillsLack of proper communication skills is another very important sign of autism. The child may face problems with verbal and non-verbal communication. The child may exhibit the following symptoms:Lack empathy.May be mute up to a certain age or life long.May use sign language or pictures to communicate.Use language in unusual ways.Face difficulty in combing words to make sentences; some may speak only single words or repeat a particular phrase all the time.Constant echoing of words wherein they tend to repeat the same word many times.Difficulty in carrying a conversation.Faces problems in understanding voice tone and body language as a way of expressing certain feelings.Difficulty in expressing their needs which lead them to screaming and grabbing things.Repetitive BehavioursMany autistic children hold on to repetitive behaviours like:Curling and rockingAddress themselves by their name instead of "I"Self-abusive behaviourDifficulty in interacting and playing with other childrenIntense obsession with some things e.g. may take excess interest in learning about lighthouses, train and bus schedules etc.May take keen interest in numbers, science topics etcSensory Symptoms of Autism in ChildrenAutistic children may face certain sensory symptoms likeHyper or hypo sensitive to sound, light, crowd etcGross motor difficultyPoor athletic skillsBad handwritingHyper or hypo sensitivities cause the child to react abnormally or negatively to loud noises, brightly lit areas e.g. they may cover their ears to avoid loud noises.Other Symptoms of Autism in ChildrenFail to smileExcessive obsession with a particular toyNo response to nameDo not know how to play with toysDifficulty in making and maintaining many friendsLike activities which require lesser or no verbal interactionThese are the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder shown by children. If these symptoms are seen, parents should immediately consult their doctor. Early treatment can help child to cope with autism easily.

Autism symptoms in children can be observed as early as 3 years. The symptoms of autism are well marked so they can be easily differentiated from normal behaviour. By observing the behavioural patterns one can help an autistic child in the early stages itself. Read on to know about the symptoms of autism in children.

There are various symptoms of autism exhibited by an autistic child. Children having autism have impaired social interaction, repetitive behaviours and communication problems. The signs of autism are visible in the child during babyhood which by the age of 3 years is diagnosed as autism.Some children may develop normally till the age of two years after which their development retreats quickly. Some of the symptoms may be self-abusive behaviour, banging their head, rocking or biting. If you feel your child is autistic here are some symptoms of autism.

Common Symptoms of Autism in Children

Autism symptoms are classified into social symptoms, communication symptoms and repetitive behaviours.

Impaired Social Interaction Symptoms

Impaired social interaction is the most common symptom of autism. Here the child is unable to communicate effectively with people around and also finds it very difficult to interact. The child may exhibit the following behaviours:

• Constant focus on a particular item for a long period of time
• Shows no response to people
• Can not have eye-contact
• May prefer to stay or play alone
• Abnormal speech patterns i.e. may repeat some words continuously over a long period of time.
• Inability in understanding facial gestures and expressions
• Difficulty in perceiving things from other’s perspectives
• Trouble in regulating emotions
• Aggressive behaviour at times
• Head-banging, pulling hair, breaking items, hurting themselves, biting their arm

Difficulty with Communication Skills

Lack of proper communication skills is another very important sign of autism. The child may face problems with verbal and non-verbal communication. The child may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Lack empathy.
• May be mute up to a certain age or life long.
• May use sign language or pictures to communicate.
• Use language in unusual ways.
• Face difficulty in combing words to make sentences; some may speak only single words or repeat a particular phrase all the time.
• Constant echoing of words wherein they tend to repeat the same word many times.
• Difficulty in carrying a conversation.
• Faces problems in understanding voice tone and body language as a way of expressing certain feelings.
• Difficulty in expressing their needs which lead them to screaming and grabbing things.

Repetitive Behaviours

Many autistic children hold on to repetitive behaviours like:

• Curling and rocking
• Address themselves by their name instead of "I"
• Self-abusive behaviour
• Difficulty in interacting and playing with other children
• Intense obsession with some things e.g. may take excess interest in learning about lighthouses, train and bus schedules etc.
• May take keen interest in numbers, science topics etc

Sensory Symptoms of Autism in Children

Autistic children may face certain sensory symptoms like

• Hyper or hypo sensitive to sound, light, crowd etc
• Gross motor difficulty
• Poor athletic skills
• Bad handwriting
• Hyper or hypo sensitivities cause the child to react abnormally or negatively to loud noises, brightly lit areas e.g. they may cover their ears to avoid loud noises.

Other Symptoms of Autism in Children

• Fail to smile
• Excessive obsession with a particular toy
• No response to name
• Do not know how to play with toys
• Difficulty in making and maintaining many friends
• Like activities which require lesser or no verbal interaction

These are the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder shown by children. If these symptoms are seen, parents should immediately consult their doctor. Early treatment can help child to cope with autism easily.