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Characteristics for Autism


characteristics for autism, autism signs

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder. Characteristics for autism will vary for each child. However, the disorder usually includes some type of deficit in communication, imaginative play, socialization, and/or the presence of repetitive or stereotypical behaviors. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder and can be referred to as early infantile autism, childhood autism, or Kanner’s autism(1).

Autism statistics show that the incidence of autism has increased substantially over the past 30-40 years. Unfortunately this increase has not led to the discovery of any official autism causes other than fragile X syndrome.

I am curious to know how many cases of autism have ruled out the possibility of fragile X syndrome as the cause. I am also concerned that there may be some undiagnosed cases of childhood disintegrative disorder, which is very similar to autism.

Characteristics for autism might include difficulty developing age appropriate peer relationships or a lack of peer relationships completely. Some parents may notice symptoms of mild autism at a younger age, but symptoms are usually not always apparent in a child until they are about 2-3 years old. This is because it is usually when it becomes more obvious that a child is not developing similar to his/her peers.

Typical characteristics for autism are(2):

• Insistence on sameness; resistance to changes in routine
• Difficulty in expressing wants; using gestures or pointing instead of words
• Laughing (and/or crying) or getting upset for no apparent reason
• Laughing (and/or crying) or getting upset for no apparent reason
• Preferring to being alone
• Temper Tantrums
• Not wanting to cuddle
• Minimal eye contact
• Unresponsive to normal teaching methods
• Engaging in odd play
• Spinning objects
• Fixated attachment to objects
• No real fear of danger
• Marked physical over-activity or extreme under-activity
• Irregular gross/fine motor skills
• Non-responsive to verbal cues; may act as if deaf, although hearing tests are in normal range
• Echolalia, which is the repeating of another person’s verbalizations instead of responding in a conversational manner

Trying to determine whether your child may be showing characteristics for autism can be challenging. Sometimes it may seem like only a slight delay or as if there is just something a little bit off about a child's behavior. That is why I have created some printable autism symptoms checklists to aid parents in deciding whether their child may need further evaluation. One checklist is referred to as the checklist for autism in toddlers (CHAT) and the other is based on autism signs as outlined in the DSM-IV by the American Psychiatric Association.

For individuals that do develop language, their speech may have an abnormal intonation, pitch, rate, rhythm, or stress (e.g., tone of voice may be monotonous or may not sound appropriate in the context that it is used)(1). Flexibility is limited and the child may require strict routine or nonfunctional rituals to avoid having a temper tantrum or melt down.

Autism Treatments

There are a variety of autism treatments available to treat the characteristics for autism. Some of these include applied behavior analysis, such as discrete trial training, the use of a picture exchange communication system, utilizing a special autism diet, speech therapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration therapy, Floortime, and Relationship Development Intervention.

Know of a really inspiring Autism success story?
Click here to share your story to help encourage others.


SITEMAP


Developmental Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Symptoms of Mild Autism
Using social stories
Autism Treatments
Autism Diet
Asperger’s Syndrome
Rett’s Disorder
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Fragile X Syndrome
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Signs of ADHD
ADHD Checklist
Causes of ADHD
ADHD Treatments
Behavior Disorders
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Conduct Disorder
Sensory Processing Disorders

Tactile Defensiveness
Proprioceptive Dysfunction
Auditory Processing Disorder
Oral Input Dysfunction
Sensory Processing Disorder Treatment
School Behavior
Listening Skills
Study and Homework tips
Homework charts
Tips for Improving Attention and Memory
Applied Behavior Analysis
Discrete Trial Training
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
ABA Schools
ABA Therapists
Printable Behavior Charts
More free behavior charts
Chore Charts
Homework Charts
Behavior Help
Using social stories
Free Child Behavior Help Book
Dealing with Temper Tantrums or Meltdowns
Preventing Attention Seeking Behavior
Self Injury
Ways to Deal with Defiant Children
Tips for helping your child easily change activities
Dealing with picky eaters
Sleep problems
Skin Picking
Aggressive Behavior
Work at home jobs
Virtual call center Jobs
Revealing work at home scams


References

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Pervasive developmental disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (Fourth edition---text revision (DSM-IV-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association,70-75.

2. Characteristics for Autism.(2008). Autism Society. www.autism-society.org. 11-20-09

3. Newschaffer CJ, Croen LA, Daniels J et al. (2007). "The epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders" (PDF). Annu Rev Public Health 28: 235–58


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