What are the symptoms of ASD?
It is important to note that no two individuals present with the same experience or symptoms. Behaviors also depend on an individual’s age, gender, and developmental stage. While the list below is not exhaustive, some common behaviors might include:
Ongoing social problems and difficulty communicating or interacting with others
- Not engaging in reciprocal conversation
- Lack of social play or joint attention
- Difficulty understanding social cues or maintaining eye contact
- Limited language or nonverbal
Repetitive behaviors
- Hand flapping, rocking, swaying, tip-toe walking
- Repetition of the same word or phrase
- Continually lining up objects or toys
Sensory issues
- Preferred food textures
- Discomfort with certain clothing materials or tags
- Overstimulated by loud noises or physical touch
Limited or fixated interests or activities
- Limited/restricted diet (May be sensory/texture-related)
- Speaking inclusively about a specific topic or interest
Difficulty or inflexibility with coping, change, or transitions
- Difficulty transitioning from one activity to another
- Emotional dysregulation occurs if things do not go as planned
- Inability to cope with sensory overload
- Poor frustration tolerance that may result in aggression or self-harm
- Cognitive perseveration stemming from some anxiety or worry
- Delayed processing and response time
