What are the symptoms of autism?
Symptoms start in the first 3 years of life. It usually develops from birth (about 4 in 5 cases). In about 1 in 5 cases there is a period of normal development first before symptoms begin. There are four different groups of symptoms, all of which usually occur in children with autism.
Social difficulties
There are different types of problems and not all will occur in each case. These can generally be described as an "not being able to get on with people". So the child may:
- seem to be aloof and rather 'stuck up'.
- have little or no interest in other people.
- have no real friends.
- not understand other people's emotions. For example, not understanding why anyone has got cross with them.
- prefer being alone.
Problems with language and communication
Speech usually develops later than usual. When it does, the language (the use and choice of words) may develop wrongly. The sort of problems that children with autism have include one or more of the following.
- Not be able to express themselves well.
- Not be able to understand gestures, facial expressions, or tone of voice.
- Say odd things. For example, repeating your words back to you, time and time again.
- Use odd phrases and odd choices of words.
- Sometimes use 10 words when 1 would do.
- Make up their own words.
- Not use their hands to make gestures as they speak.
- Not be able to understand difficult commands.
Poor imagination
Imaginative play is limited in children with autism. They tend to do the games and activities that they learn over and over again. Games may remain exactly the same every day. Games are usually those that a younger child would normally play.
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Dana Ballen, about 1 year
I'm a student and I'm doing a case study on the MMR jabs. I found this website because some people think that the MMR jabs cause autism. I'm shocked at the symptoms and I feel so sorry for anyone who's autistic. Also, I'm glad I havn't got at and it makes me remember how lucky I am to know I'm just a healthy 14 year old girl. Thank you for writing about autusm. I've learned a lot.
Report this commentjames mooney, about 1 year
Dear Sir i have an interview for a job this wed for children who suffer from autism which iam looking forward to i was wondering what type of questions i should ask the panel on autism, iam very keen in helping people who suffer from this illness and having of difficulties in life , i want to know more about this illness and to help these children reach their potential capabilities in life with your advice i may just be able to do that . i ook forwa\rd t your reply Yours Sincerely James Mooney
Report this commentGareth Bartlett, over 2 years
I am a 44 year old man and having read your account of the symptoms of autism, I believe I suffer from a form of it. I have a friend who knows somebody who has been diagnosed as autistic, and my friend says my behavioural traits are similar. Is there an organisation I can turn to to investigate this? Many thanks for your attention. G.D.Bartlett
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stacey savage, about 1 month
I am writing in regaurding my brother. he has never been diagnosed with autism, but i am convinced he is autistic. I have helped with autistic children, and the more i am around them, the more i am convinced. He has always had alot of problems, his speech has always been very distorted, and he is very dyslexic, he also gets 'twitches'.When he was at school, teachers said he was dyslexic, and the doctors put this down to him having menengitis when he was a baby. He is now 19 years old, and has got progressively worse, he was seen by a 'specialist' in Oxford last year- which my mum found very unhelpfull because he wasnt listening to what was being said as to how my brother is. My brothers behaviour- social and personal is appalling, he has no understanding of social intergration, he is a very angry young man, and it is very exausting for my mum, living with him this way. He has 'outbursts' of horrid behaviou- which i will not go into, but he says that something 'snaps' in him and he doesnt know what he is doing. My mum had a minor heart attack last year through the stress and no one being able to help as he is now classed as an adult!! We have tried throughout the years to get help, and it was always put down to his illness as a child- yet nothing was ever done?? I need advice as to what we can do to get the help now?? Surely there must be a way- even if he is classed as an adult, although he has the mentality of a child. Its hard to describe everything, but i know that is is not normal. Can anyone give me some advice? S. Savage.
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