Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder usually appear between the ages of two and three years.
The main symptoms of autism spectrum disorder
Difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communication, for example:
Difficulties with verbal language
Difficulties with speech
Difficulties with non-verbal language
Difficulties understanding and using gestures
Difficulties with eye contact
Difficulties understanding and using facial expressions and tone of voice.
Difficulties with social interaction
Difficulties recognizing other people’s feelings.
Difficulties recognizing and expressing one’s own emotions and feelings.
Difficulties taking turns in conversation.
Feeling very overwhelmed in social situations.
Difficulties determining appropriate distance between the person with autism spectrum disorder and others.
Restricted and repetitive behavior patterns vary widely among people with autism spectrum disorder and can include:
Repetitive body movements (e.g., circling, flapping hands, rocking, running back and forth).
Repetitive movements with objects (e.g., shaking sticks, turning car wheels, flipping cars).
Ritual behaviors (e.g., lining up objects in a particular way, repeatedly touching objects in a specific order).
Restricted interests in certain subjects.
Need for the same routine and resistance to change (e.g., same daily schedule, same meal menu).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), early indicators that a child may be at risk for autism spectrum disorder are:
At 12 months, the child does not respond to his name.
At 14 months, the child does not point to objects to show interest.
At 18 months, the child does not play pretend.
Avoids eye contact and wants to be alone.
Has trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about his or her own.
Delayed language and communication skills.
Repeates words or phrases a lot (echoing).
Gives answers that are not related to questions.
Gets upset by small changes.
Is very attached to certain interests.
Has repetitive movements such as hand flapping, body rocking, or spinning.
Unusual reactions to things in terms of their sound, smell, taste, shape, or feel.
Co-occurring disorders of autism spectrum disorder
More than half of people with autism spectrum disorder have four or more co-occurring conditions. The types of co-occurring conditions and how they manifest vary from person to person.
Common co-occurring disorders of autism spectrum disorder
In general, disorders that overlap with autism fall into four categories:
Medical conditions such as epilepsy, gastrointestinal problems, and sleep disorders.
Developmental disorders such as intellectual disability and language delay.
Psychological disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression.
Genetic disorders such as fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis complex.
Treatment of co-occurring disorders of autism is important because it may help alleviate the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and thus improve the quality of life of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. For example, treating sleep problems has behavioral benefits, as the number of hours of sleep and the quality of sleep can affect the mood of an individual with autism spectrum disorder and the severity of their repetitive behaviors.