Characteristics of Autism

Characteristics

These characteristics are not true for every child who is suffering from ASD, however, they are common characteristics that children with autism would normally display.

Social skills

• Very little or no eye contact.
• Resistance to being held or touched.
• Difficulty understanding jokes, figures of speech or sarcasm.
• Difficulty reading facial expressions and body language
• Makes honest, but inappropriate observations.
• Seems unable to understand another’s feeling

Behaviours

• Obsessions with objects, ideas or desires.
• Play is often repetitive.
• Quotes movies or video games.
• Verbal outbursts.
• Unexpected and sudden bursts movements.

Emotions or sensitivities 

• Sensitivity or lack of sensitivity to sounds, textures (touch), tastes, smells or light.
• Difficulty with loud or sudden sounds.
• Intolerance to certain food textures,  colours (dislike the colour brown so wouldn't eat chocolates) or the way they are presented on the plate.

School-related skills

• Exceptionally high skills in some areas and very low in others.
• Resistance or inability to follow directions.
• Difficulty transitioning from one activity to another in school.