Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a
person’s ability to communicate and interact socially with other people. It is
estimated that around 1 in 54 children in the US are diagnosed with autism,
making it more common than diabetes, cancer, and AIDS combined.
When it comes to autism, there are three main symptoms that are
generally seen in those who are affected. These are difficulties with social
interaction, repetitive behaviors, and communication challenges. This article
will provide an overview of these three main symptoms of autism, as well as
detailing some of the specific issues associated with them.
Social interaction difficulties are a hallmark symptom of autism.
People with autism often have difficulty recognizing or identifying facial
expressions and identifying emotions from others. This difficulty in
understanding the emotions of others can make it difficult for people with
autism to connect with people and build relationships.
In addition, people with autism may also struggle with nonverbal
communication. This can include difficulty understanding body language, facial
expressions, and other subtle visual cues that are used in social situations.
This can lead to difficulty in understanding the social cues of others, making
it hard to interact in social situations.
Another main symptom of autism is repetitive behaviors. People
with autism often engage in behaviors that are repetitive in nature, such as
having rigid routines and exhibiting unusual interests. These behaviors can be
comforting and provide a sense of security to those with autism, but can also
be disruptive when they interfere with daily activities.
Finally, people with autism often have communication challenges.
This can include difficulty understanding language, speaking in a proper
manner, having difficulty understanding the meaning of words, and having
difficulty making sense of conversations. People with autism may also have
difficulties with pragmatic languages, such as understanding sarcasm or making
jokes.
These are the three main symptoms of autism, and they can often be
identified through diagnostic criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). In order to
diagnose autism, medical professionals use a variety of assessments to evaluate
the severity of the symptoms and help develop an appropriate treatment plan.
In this article, we will take a closer look at each of these three
main symptoms of autism, as well as provide some tips for recognizing them
and seeking treatment for those affected.
Social
Interaction Difficulties
Individuals with autism may struggle with social interaction. They
may have difficulty understanding how to interact with others appropriately and
may not understand social cues and body language. This can cause them to have
difficulty making and sustaining friendships, as well as difficulty connecting
with others.
People with autism may have difficulty engaging in reciprocal
conversations. They may not understand the give and take of normal
conversations and may not be able to determine when it is their turn to talk or
respond. They may also find it difficult to understand and express their
emotions and may not be able to recognize the emotions in others. This can lead to
difficulty forming relationships and understanding the feelings of those around
them.
Those with autism may also find it difficult to make eye contact
and may avoid looking directly at someone when they are speaking. This can lead
to difficulty communicating and can give the impression that the individual is
not paying attention. Additionally, people with autism may not be able to
recognize nonverbal communication such as facial expressions, body language, or
tone of voice. This can lead to misunderstandings as they are not able to
interpret the nonverbal cues of those around them.
Individuals with autism may also have difficulty understanding
humor or sarcasm and may take comments literally. This can lead to difficulty
understanding the context of conversations and making jokes or engaging in small
talk. Those with autism may also find it difficult to engage in conversation
with others and may not be able to sustain conversations for long periods of
time.
People with autism may also struggle with initiating
conversations. They may not know how to start a conversation or how to keep it
going, leading to difficulty making and sustaining friendships. They may also
find it difficult to understand when conversations are over and misinterpret
social cues that signify that the conversation is coming to an end.
Repetitive Behaviors
Repetitive behaviors are common among individuals with autism.
These behaviors include rituals, repetitive movements, and rigid routines. They
may look different from individual to individual, yet they are all typically
associated with autism.
Rituals are often seen as part of a person's daily routine. They
may involve specific behaviors that must be done in a certain order or a
certain number of times. For example, a person may have a bedtime ritual that
involves brushing their teeth, then taking a shower, and then reading a book in
bed. These rituals are often rigid and cannot be changed or adapted.
Repetitive movements are another type of behavior that may be seen
in individuals with autism. This includes things like hand or finger flapping,
rocking or pacing, and other repetitive motions. These movements can be calming
and soothing for the person, but may be confusing to those around them.
Rigid routines are also common in people with autism. They may
have specific expectations about how their day is supposed to go and may become
very upset when their routine is disrupted. They may also have a hard time
transitioning from one activity to another or may become overwhelmed by
changes.
It is important to remember that not all repetitive behaviors are
necessarily harmful or disruptive. For some people with autism, these routines
and rituals may provide comfort and security. It is important to talk to a
doctor or a mental health professional to determine if the behavior is
disruptive or problematic.
In some cases, repetitive behaviors can become a problem if they
interfere with everyday functioning. For example, if the behavior is so
frequent and intense that it takes up a large part of the day or interferes
with the individual's ability to focus or interact with others, it may be
necessary to seek professional help.
Behavioral therapies can be helpful in reducing disruptive
behaviors and can help people with autism find more appropriate ways to channel
their energy. Occupational therapy can also be helpful for people with autism,
as it can help them become more independent and learn to better manage their
emotions.
It is important to remember that repetitive behaviors are common
in people with autism and can be managed with the right tools and resources. If
you or someone you know is exhibiting repetitive behaviors, it is important to
talk to a doctor or a mental health professional to find the best treatment
plan.
Communication
Challenges
Communication challenges are one of the hallmark symptoms of
autism. People with autism may have difficulty communicating with other people
in a variety of ways. Speech and language delay, difficulty understanding
language, and issues with pragmatic language are all common communication
challenges associated with autism.
Speech and Language Delay
Speech and language delays are very common in individuals with
autism. People with autism may have difficulty with the production of language,
and may speak in a monotone or in a flat affect. They may also use incorrect
grammar, and have difficulty expressing themselves. They may also have
difficulty understanding language, and may not respond to verbal instructions.
Difficulty Understanding Language
People with autism may have difficulty understanding language.
They may not understand what is being said to them, or may be unable to
understand the nuances of language, such as sarcasm or jokes. They may also
struggle to comprehend the meaning of words and may have difficulty
understanding abstract concepts.
Issues with Pragmatic Language
People with autism may also have difficulty with pragmatic
language. Pragmatic language includes the ability to understand and use
non-literal language and social cues in conversation. People with autism may
struggle to interact socially and may have difficulty initiating or maintaining
conversations. They may also have difficulty interpreting facial expressions or
body language, and may not understand social cues.
Diagnosis of communication challenges is best done by a qualified
medical professional. Professionals can assess for communication delays and
recommend strategies for helping people with autism to communicate more
effectively. Speech-language pathologists may also be able to provide
recommendations or treatment for communication difficulties.
Communication challenges are an important symptom to consider when
diagnosing autism. Speech and language delays, difficulty understanding
language, and issues with pragmatic language are all common in individuals with
autism. It is important to be aware of these challenges and to work with a
qualified professional to develop strategies to help people with autism to
communicate more effectively.
Diagnostic
Criteria
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5),
published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the go-to resource for
medical professionals to diagnose autism. According to the DSM-5, a diagnosis
of autism is given when a person displays “persistent deficits in social
communication and social interaction across multiple contexts,” as well as
“restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.”
In order to diagnose autism, medical professionals must assess the
person for any symptoms from the two categories: social communication and
social interaction difficulties or repetitive behaviors.
When assessing a person for social communication and social
interaction difficulties, clinicians look for the following criteria:
Social Interaction Difficulties: A person with autism may have
difficulty understanding social cues and engaging in appropriate social
behavior. They may also have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships
with others.
Ability to Detect Emotions: People with autism may have difficulty
recognizing the emotions of others and may not be able to accurately interpret
facial expressions.
Issues with Nonverbal Communication: Those with autism may have
difficulty understanding the nuances of nonverbal communication such as body
language and gestures.
Difficulty with Conversation: A person with autism may have
difficulty initiating or sustaining conversations or displaying interest in a
topic.
When assessing a person for repetitive behaviors, clinicians look
for the following criteria:
Repetitive Behaviors: People with autism often engage in behaviors
such as rocking, twirling, or repeating certain words or phrases.
Rigid Routines: Those with autism may adhere to strict routines or
rituals and have difficulty shifting activities or adapting to changes in
routine.
Unusual Interests: People with autism may become fixated on
certain topics or activities such as a particular TV show or type of puzzle.
Repetitive Movements: A person with autism may engage in
repetitive movements such as hand flapping or spinning.
Finally, when assessing communication challenges, clinicians look
for the following criteria:
Speech and Language Delay: People with autism may have difficulty
in developing speech and language. They may also use language in an unusual
way, such as repeating phrases or using a robotic or monotone voice.
Difficulty Understanding Language: Those with autism may have
difficulty understanding language, particularly figurative language and jokes.
Issues with Pragmatic Language: People with autism may have
difficulty understanding the context of conversations and may struggle to
understand the subtle cues of conversation.
In order for a diagnosis to be given, a person must display
symptoms in two of the three categories listed above. Medical professionals
often use other diagnostic tools such as questionnaires to help in diagnosing a
person with autism. It is important to note that autism is a spectrum disorder
and the degree and severity of symptoms can vary from person to person.
In conclusion, the DSM-5 provides medical professionals with
guidelines to diagnose autism by assessing a person for the three main
symptoms: social communication and social interaction difficulties, repetitive
behaviors, and communication challenges. These criteria help to determine if an
individual is on the autism spectrum and can allow for early intervention and
treatment plans for those with autism.
Conclusion
As we have seen, autism is a neurological disorder that presents
with a range of symptoms. The three main symptoms of autism are difficulties
with social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and communication challenges.
Social interaction difficulties typically present as a lack of
interest in socialization, difficulty understanding and responding to facial
expressions and emotions, issues with nonverbal communication, and difficulty
with conversation.
Repetitive behaviors are characterized by rigid routines, unusual
interests, and repetitive movements. People with autism may become fixated on
certain activities and objects, and prefer to stick to a set schedule.
Communication challenges manifest as speech and language delays,
difficulty understanding language, and issues with pragmatic language.
Diagnosis of autism is based on the criteria set forth in the DSM-5, and should
be conducted by a qualified medical professional.
In summary, the three main symptoms of autism are difficulties with
social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and communication challenges. It is
important for individuals with autism to receive proper diagnosis and follow-up
care in order to manage their symptoms and lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
