When the symptoms of autism first appear in your child, it can be very scary, but with early detection and treatment, much improvement can be made. Below are the top ten symptoms of autism that your child might exhibit that can indicate an autism spectrum disorder.
Autism Symptoms Checklist
These symptoms can indicate not only autism but also Asperger's syndrome. Asperger's syndrome is a milder form of autism. The autism symptoms below typically are those that we look for in toddlers but they can apply to older children as well.
1. Failure to respond to their name. If you call your young child's name, and he or she does not respond, this is not a good thing. At a certain age, your toddler or young child should recognize...and respond...when
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Repetitive actions or activities. Does your child perform the same actions over and over again? Obsessively playing with a piece of string? Going through certain motions or a sequence of motions that they can't quite break out of? Having very set routines with their toys that you can't break or else it will cause a huge meltdown? This is another sign.
7. Watching the same videos over and over again. Autistic kids are famous for this. Disney movies are a special favorite. Many kids with autism feel reassured by sameness, and it makes them feel secure to watch the same movie over and over or the same part of the movie over and over. Since they know what is going to happen, there are no surprises. This makes the world feel safer to them.
8. Repetitive movements. Rocking or twirling are other common early autism signs. This is what is known as a self-stimulatory behavior. It is often used to try to shut the world around them out when they are overwhelmed. This way, they can focus on the internal stimuli of rocking instead of all the other emotions that come along with being overwhelmed.
9. Self-injurious behavior is, unfortunately, another common sign of autism. This can often take the form of banging one's head or hand-biting. It is done out of frustration and as a way to focus on the stimuli from this behavior instead of the feelings