Autism affects the way an individual perceives the world and makes communication and social interaction different from those without autism, often leading to significant difficulties. ASD is characterized by social-interaction challenges, communication difficulties and a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviors. However, symptoms and their severity vary widely across these three core areas. “It is sometimes said that if you know one person with autism, you know one person with autism.” – Stephen Shore
Social symptoms
Individuals with autism tend to have difficulty interpreting what others are thinking and feeling. Subtle social cues such as eye rolling, shoulder shrugging or a grimace may convey little meaning to some people on the spectrum. Without this ability to accurately interpret gestures and facial expressions, or nonverbal communication, the social world can seem bewildering. Many people with autism have similar difficulty seeing things from another person’s perspective. This, in turn, can interfere with the ability to predict or understand another person’s actions. It is also common – but not universal – for those with autism to have difficulty regulating emotions. Communication difficulties At an early age, many children with autism experience significant language delays. However, some exhibit only slight delays or even develop precocious language and unusually large vocabularies – yet have difficulty sustaining conversations. Some children and adults with autism tend to carry on monologues on a favorite subject, giving others little chance to comment. In other words, the ordinary “give-and-take” of conversation proves difficult.
Repetitive behaviors
Unusual repetitive behaviors and/or a tendency to engage in a restricted range of activities are another core symptom of autism. Some repetitive behaviors include arranging and rearranging objects or handflapping. Some people with autism are preoccupied with having household or other objects in a fixed order or place. It can prove extremely upsetting if something or someone disrupts the order. Many need
and demand strict consistency in their environment and daily routine. Slight changes can be exceedingly stressful and lead to outbursts.
Repetitive behaviors can also take the form of intense preoccupations or obsessions. These extreme interests can prove all the more unusual
for their content (e.g. machines, certain collectibles) or depth of knowledge (e.g. knowing and repeating astonishingly detailed information about astronomy). Adults with autism may develop tremendous interest in numbers, symbols, dates or science topics. Some of these interests can be a great asset in some circumstances, like employment, when harnessed in a productive way.