Identifying Autism-

During my Sped. 200 class we learned a lot about Autism and how to recognize it.

Common Signs of Autism-
• The student exhibits impairments in communication
• The student exhibits impairments in social interaction
• The student exhibits patterns of behavior, interests and/ or activities that are restricted, repetitive, or stereotypic.
• The student exhibits unusual responses to sensory information.

Communication
o Has an abnormal tone and rhythm in speech
o Begins to develop babbling and then stops
o Starts to develop language and then suddenly stops
o Is nonresponsive to his or her name
o Does not volunteer information or initiate speech
o Fails to give objects when requested to do so
o In unable to relate needs
o Echoes words and phrases
o Has unusual vocal quality
o Once said a few words, but now does not
o Uses and interprets language literally
Social Interaction
o Lacks or delayed social smile
o Cannot easily shift to other topics
o Does not quiet when held
o Does not seek comfort when distressed
o Cannot sustain conversation on other topics
o May appear withdrawn
o Laughs, giggles, cries inappropriately
o May be socially awkward
o Shows more interest in objects than in people
o In not interested in other students
o May avoid eye contact.
Students who exhibits Patterns of Behavior, Interests, and/or Activities that are restricted, repetitive or stereotypic
o Is able to perform some difficult play or academic tasks more readily than easier ones
o Shows a compulsive adherence to routines
o Gets stuck doing the same thing
o Lines things up
o Does not retain previously acquired skills.
o May remember routes or locations exceptionally

Sensory Information
o Averts gaze and reacts painfully to light
o May show unusual fear
o May express distress over soft touch (hair, teeth, face)
o Shows inappropriate or no response to sound
o Lacks response to auditory stimuli
o Eats specific foods, refuses to eat what most people eat or has unusual eating behaviors
o Attention span varies from very long to very short
o Possesses no understanding of danger
o Engages in persistent rocking
o Has reduced in startle response
o May have experienced a difficult transition between food textures
o Is under or over- conservative to certain textures, sounds, tastes, smells


These are some of the major signs of autism that we covered in my Sped 200 class. I picked the ones that seemed very important. Until I read through all of these, I didn't understand how children with Autism were not diagnosed till later in life. Now I understand that some of the signs are hard to notice. I hope this list of information is helpful.