AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
GETTING DIAGNOSIS:
AFTER DIAGNOSIS:
Recognize the signs:
Did you know that...?
Did you know that...
Autism now affects 1 in 59 children and 1 in 37 boys.
Basic social interaction difficulties
Unusual or inappropriate body language, gestures, and facial expressions (e.g. avoiding eye contact or using facial expressions that don’t match what he or she is saying)
Lack of interest in other people or in sharing interests or achievements (e.g. showing you a drawing, pointing to a bird)
Unlikely to approach others or to pursue social interaction; comes across as aloof and detached; prefers to be alone
Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings, reactions, and nonverbal cues
Resistance to being touched
Difficulty or failure to make friends with children the same age
Speech and Language Comprehension Difficulties
Delay in learning how to speak (after the age of two) or doesn’t talk at all
Speaking in an abnormal tone of voice, or with an odd rhythm or pitch
Repeating words or phrases over and over without communicative intent
Trouble starting a conversation or keeping it going
Difficulty communicating needs or desires
Doesn’t understand simple statements or questions
Taking what is said too literally, missing humor, irony, and sarcasm
Rigidity in Behaviors and Activities
Repetitive body movements (hand flapping, rocking, spinning); moving constantly
Obsessive attachment to unusual objects (rubber bands, keys, light switches)
Preoccupation with a narrow topic of interest, sometimes involving numbers or symbols (maps, license plates, sports statistics)
A strong need for sameness, order, and routines (e.g. lines up toys, follows a rigid schedule). Gets upset by change in their routine or environment.
Clumsiness, abnormal posture, or odd ways of moving
Fascinated by spinning objects, moving pieces, or parts of toys (e.g. spinning the wheels on a race car, instead of playing with the whole car)
Hyper- or hypo-reactive to sensory input (e.g. reacts badly to certain sounds or textures, seeming indifference to temperature or pain)