The characteristics of autism can vary from person to person and across different environments. They can also be different for the same person at different times in their life. T
The characteristics of autism can be categorized into three main groups:
social interaction
social communication
social imagination
The first signs of autism may appear in a child under the age of two, while in some children the condition may not be detected until they are older
.Social interaction
An autistic person may find it hard to relate to other people. They may:
show little or no interest in other people
find it difficult to make friends
not seek affection in the usual way or resist physical contact such as kissing and cuddling
find it difficult to make eye contact with other people
want to have social contact, but have difficulty knowing how to initiate it
not understand other people’s emotions and have difficulty managing their own emotions
prefer to spend time alone
Social communication
An autistic individual may experience challenges with both verbal and non-verbal communication, and some individuals may never develop verbal language skills. Autistic people who do speak may use speech in an overcomplicated way, using odd phrases or odd choices of words.
They may also make up their own words or phrases and use more words than are necessary to explain simple things. Someone with autism may also have difficulty:
expressing themselves well
understanding gestures, facial expressions or tones of voice
using gestures to communicate
understanding instructions
Some people with autismmay develop echolalia, where they repeat words that have little meaning or repeat what has been said to them.
Social imagination
Children with autism may:
have limited imaginative play
play the same games over and over, or play with games designed for children younger than themselves
get upset if their daily routines are interrupted in any way
show repetitive behaviours, such as hand flapping or spinning
In addition, children and adults may also develop obsessions – for example, with specific objects, lists, timetables or routines.
Sensory difficulties
Most people with autismalso have sensory difficulties. This means they may be oversensitive to things like touch, certain textures, light levels, or sound.
Sensory difficulties can also lead to problems with movement. A person with ASD may appear clumsy or have an unusual way of walking.
Asperger syndrome
Asperger syndrome is another form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome will generally not have a learning disability and are often of average or above-average intelligence.
They will usually have fewer problems with language development but may still experience difficulties with social communication.
Asperger syndrome is often diagnosed later in children, and sometimes their difficulties may not be recognised and diagnosed until adulthood. This can cause a delay in getting appropriate support for the individual and their family.