Children with autism (also called Autism Spectrum Disorder) have differences in the way their brains develop and process information. They might have language delays or trouble communicating with others, perform certain unusual or repetitive behaviors, or have difficulties learning in school.
No two cases of autism are exactly alike - depending on a child's condition, symptoms can be severe and interfere with everyday tasks or they can be mild and cause few problems. Doctors and scientists call this range of symptoms a "spectrum."
Signs and Symptoms
Signs of autism are usually recognizable by two or three years of age. But because symptoms are sometimes hard to notice, it can take longer to fully identify autism. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that pediatricians look for signs that suggest the possibility of autism at every visit. Formal autism screening can begin as early as 16 months of age.
Signs of autism can include:
- Trouble interacting, playing with, or relating to others
- Having little or brief eye contact with others
- Not pointing to objects to call attention to them
- Unusual or repetitive movements, such as hand flapping, spinning, or tapping
- Delays in developmental milestones or loss of milestones already achieved
- Playing with a toy in a way that seems odd or repetitive
