Signs

Below is a general overview of tendencies shown by individuals with autism from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every individual with autism is different and may show some of these signs:

• Not responding to their name by 12 months
• Not pointing at objects to show interest by 14 months
• Not playing "pretend" games by 18 months
• Avoiding eye contact 
• Preferring to be alone
• Trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
• Delayed speech and language skills
• Repeating words or phrases over and over
• Giving unrelated answers to questions
• Getting upset by minor change
• Obsessive interests
• Flapping hands, rocking body, or spinning in circles
• Unusual reactions to the way things around sound, smell, taste, look or feel