The Elements of Autistic Behaviour


Defined Tag: Autistic Behaviour.

An individual exhibiting Autistic Behaviour may or may not have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. There are a number of infectious and neurological diseases, and other issues besides Autism which might produce symptoms which mimic those of Autism; some of those are: deafness, mental retardation, central nervous system disorders, or metabolic degenerative CNS disorders and schizophrenia.

Autistic behaviour is generally broken down into the three core areas which are affected communication, socialization and behaviour patterns. An Individual exhibiting impaired development in some or all of these areas might have an Autism Spectrum Disorder or something else with similar symptoms.

Impaired communication skills: a victim of Autism typically exhibits an inability to communicate properly. This might be a lack of speech development, a delay in development, or an abnormality in the way in which the individual speaks or tries to speak; or in the more extreme cases there may be no use of language atall.

Impaired socialization and interaction: an Autism Disorder Sufferer will typically display poor use of body language and an inadequate use or understanding of general body language, facial expressions and general awareness of the emotions of others around them. Often they will appear detached or otherwise disengaged from their social group. They may even display an emotion which is inappropriate to the circumstances; they tend to be unaffectionate and unemotional, resisting affection from others. They don’t bond well and have difficulty making friends, and are often thought to have hearing difficulties.

Impaired behaviour: Autism is often characterised by the body movements and activities of a sufferer. An Autistic child will often resort to a highly restricted set of activities and their behaviour follow strict patterns. They will desire routine and will resist any change. Often, a child will exhibit repetitive body movements too, such as flapping their arms, clapping hands, or rocking their bodies to and fro. They will often appear compulsive and obsessive in their daily actions and interests.

Autism shares many of these traits with other disorders and impairments but this particular collection of type, severity and number of traits present together in an individual are characteristic of overall Autistic Behaviour.