What are some of the symptoms of Autism? Explain.

 

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder, which is a broad term used for many behavioural and cognitive issues having glitches in communication and social interaction. Individuals who are suffering with this disorder face restriction, repetition, and stereotypical interests in their behaviours. This disorder is also known as Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reports that this disorder is more prevalent in boys as compared to girls and shows following symptoms:

The symptoms of Autism are usually appeared during the onset of 12 months, but they can appear sooner or later in life and are usually attributed with the lack of social development. Moreover, DSM-V has divided these symptoms into two categories:

1. Problems with communication and social interaction
2. Restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviour or activities

Problems with communication and social interaction

1. Lags in communication skills; lack of ability to express feelings, emotions and sharing interests

• Abnormal Tone of Voice

1. Lack of maintaining non-verbal communication such as maintaining eye-contact or noticing one's body language
2. Lack of the ability to develop and maintaining social circles

Restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviour or activities

• Repetition in the speech, motion or any type of action
• Rigid adherence to specific routines or behaviours
• Behavioural Disturbances
• Showing some unusual sensitivity towards external stimuli, such as showing fearful reaction to a specific sound
• Fixated interests or preoccupations