Autism Symptoms Throughout Life

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

Each person's experience with autism is unique.

The diversity within the spectrum means people with ASD can have a range of strengths and challenges.

ASD affects every aspect of life: education, employment, personal relationships, and daily living skills.

Autism symptoms can be divided into three areas: social skills, communication skills, and restricted and repetitive behaviors.

ASD presents differently depending on the severity of the condition.

Autism symptoms can be divided into three areas: Social skills, communication skills, and restricted and repetitive behaviors.

Not all people with autism will experience all of the symptoms, but most people with ASD have several of the behaviors listed here.

The symptoms of ASD often change over time: a toddler with ASD may show certain behaviors that indicate ASD but then outgrow them.

Later in life, new behaviors may emerge.

Social Skill Symptoms

Social challenges are a hallmark of ASD.

Individuals may struggle to interpret body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, making social interactions complex and anxiety-inducing.

People with autism might not respond to their names, avoid eye contact, or have difficulty understanding others' feelings.

Basic social codes can be challenging for people with autism. Taking turns in conversation or understanding humor don't come naturally for people with ASD.

Individuals may struggle to interpret body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, making social interactions complex and anxiety-inducing.

Here's a list of ASD symptoms related to social skills:

Not looking or listening to people when they talk
Not expressing and sharing feelings
Not reacting or being slow to answer when someone calls their name or tries to get their attention
Trouble with taking turns in conversations.
Talking a lot about what they love without noticing if others are bored or wanting to talk too
Facial expressions or movements misaligned with what they're saying
Speaking in an unusual tone, too flat or too sing-song
Struggling to interpret what others think
Struggling to adjust behaviors to social situations
Difficulties in imaginative play
Challenges in making friends

Communication Skill Symptoms

Communication difficulties range from delayed speech development to the inability to use verbal language.

Some people with ASD may repeat phrases, have a monotone speech pattern, or struggle with language pragmatics.

Nonverbal communication, including gestures and facial expressions, can also be affected.

Others might use alternative communication methods like sign language or communication devices.

Nonverbal communication, including gestures and facial expressions, can also be affected.

In some extreme cases individuals with autism may be completely nonverbal in their communications.

Here's a list of ASD symptoms related to communication skills:

Delayed or choppy speech development - kids with autism might struggle to talk, learn words, and understand what others mean
Speaking while avoiding eye contact
Repeating the same words over and over (echolalia)
Talking in a very flat or high voice
Excessive engagement with a particular topic
Nonverbal communication - pointing at objects, crying or making sounds
Constantly switching topics
Focusing on the literal meaning - finding it hard to get jokes, metaphors, or expressive language

Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors

People with autism may show repetitive movements, such as rocking or spinning, intense interest in specific topics, and a strong preference for routines, becoming distressed with changes.

People with ASD are often highly sensitive to lights, sounds, textures, and tastes, which affects their diet and tolerance to everyday environments.

Here are some related symptoms:

Demonstrating an excessive interest in specific topics and demonstrating hyperfixation
Becoming upset by slight changes in the routine and difficulty accepting and adjusting to transitions
Being more sensitive or less sensitive than others to sensory input - sound, light, temperature or clothing

ASD Symptoms from Toddlerhood to Adulthood

How ASD begins

While ASD can be diagnosed at any age, symptoms usually appear in the first 2 years of life.

How early should you diagnose autism?

According to a 2019 study, the "diagnostic stability" of the autism diagnosis - meaning the degree to which the diagnosis was certain and stuck - was about 50% at 12 -13 months.

This went up to 80% by 14 months and 83% by 16 months. At 18-24 months, an experienced professional should be able to diagnose ASD reliably.

symptoms usually appear in the first 2 years of life

However, many people are only diagnosed when they're much older - even into adolescence or adulthood.

There's no single medical test to diagnose ASD, so it may be challenging to establish a final diagnosis.

The first signs of ASD in babies, toddlers and young children include:

Avoiding eye contact
Not smiling when you smile at them
Getting excessively upset if they do not like a particular sound, smell or taste
Repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning, flapping their hands or flicking fingers
Not talking as much as other children of similar age
Not participating in pretend play
Repeating the same phrases

Note that it's entirely natural for babies and toddlers to display some of these behaviors early on, even if they don't have ASD.

Only a professional can determine whether they're a reflection of ASD.

Children with ASD may struggle to make friends, share interests, or understand social cues.

Autism Symptoms in Children

Children with ASD may struggle to make friends, share interests, or understand social cues.

They might have a very focused interest in specific subjects, display unusual play patterns, and show significant distress over minor changes in their environment.

Signs of ASD in children include:

Not catching on to what others are thinking or feeling
Showing an extreme and excessive interest in certain subjects or activities
Becoming very upset when asked to do something
Understanding things very literally and inability to interpret expressions or idioms
Strange and unusual speech, such as repeating phrases and talking 'at' others
Needing a strict daily routine and outbursts if it changes
Challenged in making friends or preferring to be on their own
Repetitive hand movements and other stimming examples
Finding it hard to express their feelings

Autism Symptoms in Adults

Adults with ASD experience difficulties in social situations, work dynamics, and maintaining relationships.

Common signs of autism in adults include:

Not understanding what others are thinking or feeling
Showing anxiety about social situations
Struggling to make friends and preferring to be in solitude
Coming across as rude, blunt, or not interested in others without meaning to
Difficulty expressing emotions
Taking things very literally – not understanding sarcasm, jokes or idioms
Sticking to the same daily routine and getting very anxious if it changes
Difficulty in interpreting facial expressions, body language, or social cues
Trouble regulating emotion
Challenge in keeping up a conversation
Voice inflection that doesn't reflect emotions
Difficulty maintaining the natural back-and-forth of a conversation

Adults with ASD experience difficulties in social situations, work dynamics, and maintaining relationships.

ASD signs at home:

Constantly bumping into objects and tripping over your own feet.
Preference for solo activities, games and sports
Being perceived and called the "eccentric professor" - even for people who don't work in academia
Using uncommon and invented words and expressions to describe things

ASD signs at work:

Known by co-workers to speak like a robot
Strict about item placement on a desk and disliking their rearrangement by the cleaners
Excellence in math, analytics or software coding.
Poor skills in other areas,
Making involuntary noises in meetings, like repeatedly clearing the throat

Diagnosis and Therapy

Clinical autism diagnosis relies on tests assessing behaviors, social interactions, and communication skills.

Why Diagnosing ASD Is Difficult

Diagnosing ASD at any age is a challenge, but in early childhood and toddlerhood, even more so.

Toddlers vary significantly in their developmental milestones.

What might be considered unusual for one child could be completely normal for another.

This variability makes it difficult to decide whether a behavior is a sign of ASD or simply a reflection of the child's developmental curve.

Further complicating diagnosis in young children, the signs of ASD can be subtle or overlap with behaviors seen in typically developing children. For example, many neurotypical toddlers go through phases of picky eating or have strong preferences for routines.

These behaviors are also common in children with ASD, making it hard to differentiate without a professional evaluation.

Many children with ASD also have speech and language delays. When a young child can't speak, assessing challenges in social communication and interaction skills can be challenging.

ASD Diagnosis in Early Childhood

Diagnosing ASD in young kids usually involves two steps.

Step 1: Screening During Regular Doctor Visits

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends regular developmental monitoring visits to track how babies grow and learn.

These regular screenings take place at 9, 18, 24, and 30 months, including autism-specific evaluations at 18 and 24 months.

If a child might be more likely to have ASD — for example, if ASD runs in the family, they show certain behaviors, have older parents, have some genetic conditions, or were born very small—they might get extra screening.

Listening to what caregivers notice is vital to checking for ASD in babies and toddlers.

Doctors might ask the caregiver how the child acts, use special ASD screening tools, and what they see during the screening to learn more.

The doctor might suggest more checkups if a child shows signs that may indicate ASD.

Step 2: Clinical ASD Evaluation

Clinical evaluation of autism is done by ASD professionals: neurologists, pediatricians, speech therapists, psychologists, educational specialists, and occupational therapists.

The detailed assessment relies on multiple tests, including:

Medical and brain health checks
Tests to see how the child thinks and learns
Language skill tests
Observing behavior
Interviewing caregivers about the child's actions and growth
Looking at basic life skills, like eating, dressing, and using the bathroom

Since children with ASD can also have other conditions, the analysis may include blood and hearing tests. ‍

ASD Diagnosis in Older Kids and Teens

It's common for caregivers or teachers to be the first to notice ASD signs in school-aged kids and teens.

The school might run an initial assessment. If they find a reason for concern, they would advise parents to get a professional evaluation for ASD.

Information about the kids' academic and social behavior at school can bring insight to a professional assessment, especially about behaviors not commonly displayed at home. ‍

ASD Diagnosis in Adults

Diagnosing ASD in adults can be trickier than in children. ASD symptoms can look like signs of other common mental health issues, such as anxiety or ADHD.

Adult ASD diagnosis relies on a clinical assessment - usually an in-person visit where the doctor asks questions and evaluates how you respond. Many psychologists use the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule for diagnosis. ‍

What to do if you think you or your child have symptoms

If you think you or your child behave in a way that may signal autism, follow these steps:

First, document observations: Keep a detailed record of behaviors or symptoms that raise alarm. Note specific social interaction challenges, communication difficulties, or repetitive behaviors.
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Schedule a consultation with a doctor/pediatrician: Consult with a doctor and share your observations and concerns. Pediatricians can conduct preliminary screenings and then refer you to a specialist.
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For children - make sure your child undergoes regular developmental screenings during pediatric visits. These screenings can help identify early signs of ASD and other developmental disorders.
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Seek a specialist: If initial screenings suggest the possibility of ASD, your doctor may refer you to a comprehensive evaluation specialist. For children - developmental pediatrician, pediatric neurologist, or child psychologist. For adults - psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist.
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Get early intervention services: In many regions, children under 3 at risk for developmental problems are eligible for early intervention services. These services can include speech therapy, physical therapy, and other forms of support even before an official diagnosis.

ABA Therapy for ASD

Autism has no cure, and there's no standardized treatment protocol for treatment.

Since people with ASD have varying symptoms, parents of children with ASD can customize therapies based on individual needs and challenges.

It's best to consult with professionals to decide on the best course of treatment.

ABA therapy can be used to help people with autism improve their social, communication, and learning skills

The earlier the intervention, the better.

Research shows that early interventions for autism are more effective in the long term and throughout later life stages.

A wide range of autism-specific therapies address behavior, perception, language skills, social skills, and emotional regulation.

ABA therapy is a method used to help people with autism improve their social, communication, and learning skills.

ABA stands for Applied Behavioral Analysis.

ABA therapy is based on behavior analysis - understanding why we do what we do and how to change it.

Here's how ABA works:

Getting started on ABA: Before jumping into therapy, there's a thorough check-up to figure out an individual's strengths and areas that need work. This step is crucial for tailoring the therapy to each person.
Custom plans: Creating a personalized plan that sets specific goals, like enhancing conversation abilities, improving interactions with others, or learning daily self-care routines.
ABA therapy in action: The therapy includes structured sessions where various techniques are used to encourage and reinforce desirable behaviors. This could involve different strategies, depending on what works best for the person.
Tracking progress: Keeping tabs on how someone is doing is a big part of ABA. By collecting data on behavior and skill development, therapists can tweak the plan as needed to ensure continuous progress.
Applying skills everywhere: A key goal of ABA is to help individuals use their new skills in all areas of life, not just during therapy sessions. There are also strategies to help maintain these skills over time.
Involving the family: Family members often play a role in the therapy process. They're taught how to support their loved one's learning and progress outside of therapy.

ABA therapy can be conducted in different places, such as clinics, schools, or at home, and the intensity and duration can vary based on the person's needs.

Research shows that ABA can significantly improve outcomes for many people with ASD, although results can vary from person to person.‍

FAQs

What are the 3 main symptoms of autism?

The 3 main groups of autism symptoms are social skills symptoms, communication skills challenges and restrictive and repetitive behaviors.

Social skills symptoms include difficulty interpreting body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, avoiding eye contact, not responding to their name, having trouble understanding others' feelings, and difficulty with social interactions and making friends.

Communication Skills Symptoms range from delayed speech development to the inability to use verbal language, repeating the same words or phrases, speaking in a monotone or unusual tone, and struggling with nonverbal communication like gestures.

Restricted and repetitive behaviors include repetitive movements (like rocking or spinning), intense interest in specific topics, a strong preference for routines, and sensitivity to sensory inputs like lights, sounds, and textures.

How does autism impact a person's life?

Autism affects every aspect of life, including education, employment, personal relationships, and daily living skills. The symptoms and severity can change over time, influencing the person's ability to interact, communicate, learn, and behave in various settings.‍

At what age does autism start?

Autism symptoms usually start to appear in the first 2 years of life. While ASD can be diagnosed at any age, early signs are often visible in toddlers. However, some individuals may not be diagnosed until they are older, including adolescence or adulthood.

How does autism begin?

Autism is believed to start very early in brain development. Autism is considered to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that affect brain development before birth.

Conclusion

ASD is a complex condition with a broad range of symptoms that evolve over life.

Understanding these symptoms and their implications is key to providing effective support and course of therapy.

Early diagnosis and tailored therapies can significantly enhance the quality of life for people with ASD, allowing them to achieve their full potential.