Why Assess? Signs of Autism
Autism is called a spectrum because it appears in so many ways. People with autism may be very different from each other – in age, interests, skills, cultures, etc. With all the differences, there is still a pattern of characteristics that defines autism. These characteristics help us to recognize when autism is present and then to identify some strategies that will likely be helpful to autistic people.
Two primary areas of differences make up this pattern of characteristics. The manual used by most professionals in the United States who provide autism assessments, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5-TR), describes these core areas:
Differences may include:
- Avoids or has difficulty with eye contact
- Has difficulty starting a conversation or taking turns while interacting
- Has difficulty in regulating tone of voice or volume
- Has difficulty understanding the thoughts and feelings of others
- Has difficulty using and understanding body language and personal space
- Does not respond to name by 9 months of age
- Does not share interests with others by 15 months of age
- Does not participate in pretend play
- Has difficulty making friends
- Feels overwhelmed in social situations
Differences may include:
- Repeats words or phrases over and over
- Engages in ritualistic behaviors such as putting on clothes in the same order, or watching the same videos over and over
- Repeats movements such as spinning, pacing, flapping hands, toe walking, or rocking
- Plays with toys or objects in a repetitive manner such as lining up, organizing, opening and closing, or flipping switches
- Has strong interests in specific topics
- Gets upset by small changes
- Becomes distressed by changes in routine
- Responds to sensory input such as taste, smell, touch, light, pain, movement, or temperature in an unusual manner. May seem to overreact or underreact.