Signs of autism
There are many different signs of Autism, and the disorder often looks different in every individual who has it. While our occupational and speech therapists work closely with children who have Autism, they are not able to diagnose the disorder, and that job is often left to a child psychologist.
What Are the Signs of Autism?
Social and Interaction Skills
Avoids or is unable to maintain eye contact
Does not demonstrate awareness of or responding to own name by 9 months
Does not demonstrate facial expressions for different emotions by 9 months
Does not play or participate in interactive games like peek-a-boo by 1 year
Not waving hello or goodbye or demonstrating the use of other gestures by 1 year
Does not look at or point to something that others point to by 1.5 years
Unaware of when others are demonstrating signs of hurt or sad by 2 years
Does not participate in any pretend play by 2.5 years
Not showing an interest in playing or interacting with peers
Has difficulty understanding how others are feeling or talking about how others are feeling by 3 years
Does not participate at all or has difficulty with games that require turn taking by 5 years
Restricted or Repetitive Behaviors Examples
Lines up cars or objects in an order and becomes upset when the order is changed
Repeats words or phrases over and over again
Plays with toys the same way each time they play with them
Becomes very focused on specific details of objects
Becomes upset with minor changes in objects, routines, rules, etc.
Demonstrates obsessive interests of specific objects
Demonstrates the need to follow specific routines, schedules, etc.
Has an unusual reaction to sounds, smells, sights, textures, or flavor
Other Signs
Delayed speech/language skills
Delayed movement skills (motor delays)
Delayed cognitive/learning skills
Unusual eating habits
Unusual sleeping patterns/habits
Difficulty with emotional regulation
The Centers for Disease Control has developed a website to help identify signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder and to track developmental milestones (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html).
They also have created a useful app for Apple (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cdcs-milestone-tracker/id1232718688) and Android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.cdc.ncbddd.actearly.milestones) devices called CDC Milestone Tracker.