Autism spectrum condition (ASC) in children is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a child communicates, interacts, and learns. It's characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. While autism is a lifelong condition, the need for support and services can vary greatly from individual to individual.
What are the symptoms of autism in children?
Common indicators of autism in young children may involve:
- Lack of response to their name They may not react when called, even if their hearing is normal.
- Avoiding eye contact They might not look at people directly, even during interactions.
- Limited reciprocal smiling They may not smile back when someone smiles at them.
- Strong sensory sensitivities They can become extremely distressed by certain tastes, smells, or sounds that others may not find bothersome.
- Repetitive behaviors This may include hand-flapping, finger-flicking, body rocking, or other repeated motions.
- Delayed or limited speech They might speak less than their peers or have difficulty with language development.
- Reduced imaginative play They may not engage in pretend play as much as other children their age.
- Echolalia (repeating words or phrases) They might repeat the same phrases without clear communicative intent.
These behaviors can vary in intensity, and not all children with autism will display every sign. If parents or caregivers notice several of these traits, consulting a healthcare professional for further evaluation may be beneficial. To find out more watch our short film on recognising the symptoms of autism in children or read this article on how to recognise if a child might be autistic.
Can girls be autistic?
Autism can sometimes be different in girls and boys. Because Aspergers early research was into boys, and because autism in girls is more difficuly to spot, girls have been historically under-diagnosed. The find out more, listen to this podcast where Alis Rocca talks to Professor Barry Carpenter about autism in girls.
Autistic girls may:
- hide some signs of autism by copying how other children behave and play
- withdraw in situations they find difficult
- appear to cope better with social situations
- show fewer signs of repetitive behaviours
This means autism can be harder to spot in girls.
What is the difference between Aspergers, Autism, ASD and ASC?
What's it like parenting an autistic child?
Parenting a neuro-divergent child can be an unexpected change of life's trajectory, but also incredibly rewarding. We have some accounts of real-life experiences of parents and children, like this film of Dan and Charlie, 5 years on the autistic spectrum
