What is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong neuro-developmental condition that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people; how they manage relationships and social situations; and how they experience the world around them. Autistic people see, hear, and feel the world differently to other people. It is now known that a person’s biological and neurobiological processes for perceiving and interacting with the world around them differs significantly between those with a condition on the autistic Spectrum and those without.​ More than one in one hundred people are on the autism spectrum and there are around 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
Signs of Autism in children and young people
The signs of autism in children can vary, but some common characteristics are typically present in autistic children.​
Difficulty with communication
One of the most common signs of autism in children is difficulty with communication. Autistic children may have difficulty with making eye contact, expressing themselves, and understanding the language of others. They may also struggle to understand sarcasm or jokes and have difficulty starting or maintaining conversations.​
Social interaction difficulty
Another common sign of autism in children is difficulty with social interaction. Autistic children often have trouble understanding social cues and creating friendships. They may also need help understanding other people's perspectives and find joining in group activities hard.
Repetitive behaviours
Autistic children can display repetitive behaviours, such as flapping their hands rocking or spinning. They may also have a strong interest in a certain topic, hobby or object and may become fixated on it to the exclusion of other activities.
Lack of interest in social interaction
Children on the autistic spectrum may also lack interest in social interaction. They may prefer to play alone and not enjoy joining in with other children. They may also find it difficult ton understand the emotions and perspectives of others and might not understand the significance of social relationships.
Difficulty with nonverbal communication
Some autistic children find it difficult to understand nonverbal communication, such as facial expressions, body language, and gestures. They may also have trouble understanding the meaning behind someone's tone of voice and may not understand the nuances of social interactions.
It is important to note that these signs may not be present in all children with a diagnosis of autism, and some children may present with different symptoms. It is also important to note that these signs may be present in children who do not have autism and therefore early autism diagnostic assessment with a multi-disciplinary team is vital to either rule in or rule out a diagnosis of autism spectrum condition.