| There are more and more children being | | | | Some have problems with touch, and seem |
| diagnosed with autism today. There are new | | | | overly sensitive when touched by others. They |
| forms of higher functioning autistics being | | | | may seem like they are in pain from a slight |
| diagnosed, and that leads to higher numbers. | | | | brush of the hand or a simple hug. Others can |
| Many times children were labeled as being shy | | | | react violently to bright lights maintaining |
| or painfully introverted when they really had | | | | eye contact can be difficult. |
| autism. Though the lower functioning and more | | | | |
| common form of autism are easily spotted, | | | | Unusual Behavior: There are many different |
| those with Asperger's were often missed or | | | | types of problems that appear in autism. |
| dismissed. Parents that know more about the | | | | Behaviors are often over-the-top and out of |
| different symtoms of autism in children will | | | | whack with others of the same age. They have |
| have an easier time recognizing if their | | | | a tendency to over-react to things and have |
| child needs further evaluation. | | | | tantrums at the slightest variation in |
| | | | schedule. They might be misdiagnosed with |
| Social Relating: There is a common thread | | | | Attention Deficit Disorder before the proper |
| that seems to connect all children with any | | | | diagnosis is found. Repetitive motions and |
| form of autism. These children have problems | | | | actions are also quite common. |
| relating with others, and in particular, have | | | | |
| problems with their peers. They struggle to | | | | At Play: There is some play involved for some |
| relate, and they have huge anxiety when | | | | children with autism, but some do not play at |
| trying to form or keep relationships. This | | | | all, at least, not in the traditional way. |
| causes large amounts of frustration, and many | | | | Many who do play will play on their own most |
| end up alone, avoiding those feelings. They | | | | of the time. They often feel great |
| can't really relate to many things | | | | frustration and anxiety when they are |
| emotionally, though that is different for | | | | expected to play in a group or with one other |
| higher functioning children. In many cases, | | | | child. When they play on their own, it is |
| group activities are just too much for them. | | | | marked by the repetition of the same motions |
| | | | or action. They appear to be in their own |
| Communication: Some with autism never develop | | | | world while at play, and may ignore |
| any type of verbal communication. There are | | | | everything exclusive of the thing they are |
| others who begin to talk, but then regress. | | | | doing. |
| Higher functioning children can have a great | | | | |
| vocabulary, but are limited in how they | | | | Many of the symtoms of autism in children are |
| choose to share it. Many of them choose to | | | | obvious right away, but they can remain |
| use gestures rather than talk at all. Those | | | | hidden. Some function very well, and these |
| who have some skill might latch on to phrases | | | | things might not come to light until they are |
| that they hear and repeat them over and over. | | | | in school or pre-school. When a parent thinks |
| | | | there might be something wrong, they should |
| Reaction to Stimulus: Another symptom of | | | | look for evaluation. No matter what the |
| autism in children that parents often notice | | | | diagnosis might be, it is smart to remember |
| early is that they seem to have exaggerated | | | | that some mistakes are made, and some |
| reactions to many things, or that they have | | | | children are said to have autism when they |
| no reaction at all. Many respond to things in | | | | don't, or that they don't when they do. If |
| the most inappropriate manner. They may cover | | | | the diagnosis seems wrong, consult with |
| their ears at tiny sounds, or they may not | | | | another doctor when there is a change in |
| even blink if a horn were to go off nearby. | | | | symptoms. |