The Three Core Areas of Autism Symptoms


Defined Tag: Autism Symptoms.

Autism symptoms are usually displayed by a sufferer, and the disorder diagnosed, by the age of three years old. Sometimes a child’s development can appear to be that of a normal healthy child up to the age of about two years old when a rapid regression occurs. When outlining symptoms it is always important to bear in mind the fact that for every unique sufferer there is a unique combination of behaviours and a unique experience of the disorder. Autistic people are frequently characterised as individuals who don’t express emotion or display affection which is not a fair or accurate representation atall. No one clinical feature is common to every unique Autism sufferer, and each individual with Autism will display a unique set of symptoms.

Given the above qualification, the diagnosis of Autism attends to three core areas of development and abnormal functioning within them. The three areas where issues are displayed are in Social Interaction, Communication (both verbal and non verbal), and the display of repetitive or restricted behavioural patterns in activities and interests. When there is significant impairment in all three of these areas then Autism may be diagnosed.

Impaired ‘Social Interaction’ might include a poor or inadequate use of body language and non verbal signals such as gestures, facial expressions and eye contact. There may be a disjunction between what emotion the child is displaying and what her circumstances are or else the child may display unawareness or the emotions of others; they may appear aloof or act out of concert with those in their vicinity. Overall, the sufferer may appear unemotional and resist cuddles or affectionate advances, they may have difficulty making friends or bonding with others and they may not play in the way other children do; they may even appear to be deaf and not respond to verbal cues.

Examples of Impaired Communication include a complete lack of verbal communication atall, or a delay in the use of language; or if speech does develop it may display some abnormality in quality or content. The child will display difficulties in expressing themselves and their wants and needs and may echo the words or sentences which are spoken to them instead of conversing. Overall, their ability to converse or engage in conversation will be impaired.

Finally, the third of the core areas in which the disorder is displayed is in the way a child attends to her activities and interests. And Autistic child will exhibit a restricted repertoire of activities and behaviours, often following a pattern or routine and resistant to change. Additionally, body movements may be repetitive and might include movements such as rocking back and forth or clapping. The child may appear compulsive or obsessive in their activities.

These are the three core areas in which Autism Symptoms are displayed and which characterise the disorder.