Our Brief Guide to Autism: The 3 Most Common Signs

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a variety of symptoms that can develop due to a disruption in the normal growth of a child’s brain. Typically, ASD is diagnosed within the first 3 years of a child’s life. Within those first three years, the three common signs below may suggest that a child has Autism Spectrum Disorder.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that people with autism can have a variety of symptoms. In addition to the various symptoms, people with autism have various skillsets and needs. Being labeled or diagnosed with autism doesn’t mean a person will behave like someone else with autism. Each diagnosis is unique, just like everyone is unique. What makes each diagnosis unique is based on how different areas of their brains have developed or underdeveloped during the early years.

3 Most Common Signs of Autism

These three categories of symptoms are what physicians and parents typically see in someone with autism. 

1. Difficulty with Communication

The first notable sign is a child having difficulty with communicating. Some children may be slower to learn to talk, they may not be able to talk at all, or they may have difficulty using or understanding language. But it isn’t only verbal language that’s the issue. Children can also have problems with nonverbal communication such as eye contact and facial expressions. 

2. Limited Social Awareness

The second symptom we often see in a child with autism is difficulty with social interactions. The difficult social interactions may show as not always having the best understanding of social norms and how to interact with people. Children may unknowingly violate personal space and make offensive and not be able to understand the offense.

3. Obsessive or Repetitive Behavior

The third symptom someone with autism spectrum disorder can have is related to behavior. Children can seem obsessed with certain activities and they may engage in repetitive behaviors.

Onset Awareness

All these symptoms can occur in varying degrees. In some people with autism spectrum disorder, communication issues, difficulty with social interactions, and repetitive behaviors may be obvious. For other people, there may be no distinct signs.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children be screened for autism at 18 months and at 24 months. Autism is typically diagnosed by age 2.