Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Social:

• Some difficulty making friends or lasting connects
• Trouble understanding social rules or cues
• Avoids group activities
• Prefers routine and may become anxious with change

Communication:

• Delayed speech or language skills
• Challenges understanding or using non-verbal cues
• Difficulty understanding sarcasm, jokes, or figurative language
• May speak in a flat or unusual tone
   

Behavior:

• Intense interest in specific topics (e.g., maps, numbers)
• Over-or under-reacting to sounds, textures, light, or smells
• Hand-flapping, rocking, spinning, or repeating actions
• May not seek out peers or have trouble making/keeping friends.
   

Please be advised there are more signs that are not highlighted within this category. For additional information, speak with a licensed professional today!

Social:

• Avoids eye contact
• Doesn’t respond to name by 12–24 months
• Limited interest in playing with other children
• Prefers to be alone

Communication:

• Delayed speech or no speech
• Repeats words or phrases (echolalia)
• Doesn’t use gestures (e.g., pointing, waving)
• Limited use of pretend play
   

Behavior:

• Repetitive motions (hand-flapping, spinning)
• Lines up toys or objects
• Tantrums due to minor changes in routine
• Unusual attachment to certain objects
   

Please be advised that many children do not receive a final diagnosis around this age but can be assessed for early signs. There are more signs that are not highlighted within this category. For additional information, speak with a licensed professional today!

Social:

• Limited eye contact: May avoid or find eye contact uncomfortable
• Trouble understanding social cues: May not pick up on body language, facial expressions, or tone of voice
• Struggles with back-and-forth conversation
• Challenges in developing friendships or relationships
   

Communication:

• Speaks well but may not understand social context or struggle to engage in a two-way conversation
• Has trouble adapting communication to different situations (e.g., speaking to a teacher vs. a peer)
• May experience trouble understanding social cues: like not picking up on body language, facial expressions, or tone of voice
• Possibly has very limited verbal dialogue and results in gestures, pointing or sound effects

Behavior:

• Continues with repetitive behaviors or rituals like
• Overwhelmed by emotions, leading to outbursts or withdrawal
• May express repetitive movement such as hand-flapping, rocking, or repeating phrases (echolalia).
• May focus deeply on specific topics (e.g., dinosaurs, maps, trains) and talk about them excessively.

Sensory Sensitivities:

• Sounds: May cover ears do to loud or unexpected noises
• Textures: May avoid certain clothing or food textures
• Lights: Sensitive to bright or flickering lights
• Pain: May have a high or low pain tolerance