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