top of page

Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental difference with a broad range that a person may have that includes difficulty with social skills and interaction, difficulty with speech and communication, and the presence of repetitive behaviors. Social communication deficits include impairments in aspects of joint attention and social reciprocity, as well as challenges in the use of verbal and nonverbal communicative behaviors for social interaction. Restricted, repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities are manifested by stereotyped, repetitive speech, motor movement, or use of objects; inflexible adherence to routines; restricted interests; and hyper- and/or hypo-sensitivity to sensory input.

​

Every person with autism is different. Autism is a spectrum disorder and each person is unique in their strengths and challenges.

Autistic people may focus on one topic, like trains or a television show. They may have some behaviors that they do over and over, like flipping objects or smelling things. They may not like changes in their schedule or changes in the food they eat. Some may not be able to make friends. Others may not speak at all.

​

Communication

Your child may have challenges with understanding, talking, reading, or writing. You might notice that they have stopped saying words that they used to say. Your child may have problems:

  • Understanding and using gestures, like pointing or waving.

  • Following directions.

  • Understanding and using words.

  • Having conversations.

  • Learning to read or write. Some children with autism read early but do not understand what they read, called hyperlexia.

Your child also may do the following things:

  • Repeat words they just heard or words they heard days or weeks earlier, called echolalia (pronounced ek-o-lay-lee-a).

  • Sound robotic or talk in a singsong voice.

  • Have tantrums instead of telling you what they want.

Social Skills

Your child may have problems relating to other people. They may seem to be in their own world. It may be hard for her to

  • focus with someone on the same object or event, called joint attention;

  • play with others and share toys;

  • understand how others feel; or

  • make and keep friends.

Behaviors

Your child may

  • have trouble changing from one activity to the next;

  • flap his hands, rock, spin, or stare;

  • get upset by certain sounds;

  • like only a few foods; or

  • have an interest in only a few things. They may talk about only one topic or keep staring at one toy.

bottom of page