Regrettably, we have no new information about autistic disorders as a ‘modern disease.’ Perhaps it is a product of today’s culture, and perhaps it has always been present but not diagnosed. Another theory is that our modern diets and lifestyle promote autism.
1. Inappropriate social interaction
Individuals with autistic disorders have difficulty reacting appropriately to situations that involve others. That concept is a little thick, so let’s give an example. A ‘normal’ person, adult or child, has an innate understanding of social situations and the responses of people around them, while an autistic person, or child, does not. One could imagine an autistic’s social world as continually landing on a strange planet where they are subjected to job interviews in foreign languages without any cues or even rational for being there.
Autistic children may become frustrated and lash out at people around them, while autistic adults may have more coping mechanisms yet still respond ‘in the wrong language’, or fail to respond when called upon.
2. Poor eye contact
Infants and toddlers that fail to make eye contact or smile may be showing an early sign of autism. Coupled with this may be a failure to babble and coo, which is normally present at about 9 months.
Children with autism often display a ‘failure to bond’ and appear to prefer objects to human interaction. This may be because objects are more predictable than people to a naturally overstimulated child.
This behavior may be carried into adulthood. and is one of the primary behaviors that therapists seek to adjust, as it puts the autistic person at a social disadvantage in many situations. This treatment is purely symptomatic and does not address the underlying stress.
3. Compulsive behavior
Also called stereotyped behavior, compulsive organizing can be an early warning sign of an autistic disorder, and even a clue to adult autistic behavior. Beyond the classic symptoms of obsessive-compulsive behavior, children may stack blocks or other items repeatedly, collect small items and organize them again and again, or become drawn to objects for no apparent reason with a tremendous compulsion to ‘organize’ them.
Autistic adults are often able to use their innate compulsive behaviors to their advantage. Perhaps, unfortunately, this talent lends itself more to careers than to personal relationships. Functioning autistic adults have an enhanced ability to focus on tasks and to avoid distractions. They sometimes turn to therapy for help in maintaining interpersonal contact.
4. Impulsivity
People that love a person who is autistic may first discern that ‘something is wrong’ when they notice peculiar behavior displayed. Autistic toddlers tend to be the very opposite of impulsive, except when they are mimicking adult behavior that has made an overwhelming impression on them. (It should be added that there is no measure of what behavior may be overwhelming).
Autistic young people and adults may surprise others by reacting inappropriately in situations that seem ‘clear’ or ‘evident’ to people without autism. Autistic people are very unlikely to display antisocial behavior of the type we associate with other mental illnesses. When versed in an expected behavior, autistic individuals may over-play their role in an unusual way.
Yet when thrust into an entirely unfamiliar situation an autistic person might present behavior that could be called ‘impulsive’. An example is a mention of sexual organs when it is inappropriate, or later in life a wedding speech that reveals far too many secrets.
5. Repetitive movements
Several forms of repetitive behaviors are linked to autism, although few need to be present to affirm a diagnosis. In infants that may be autistic, it is thought that repetitive behavior such as rocking is soothing. This behavior is known as ‘stimming’, and may include hand flipping and other repetitive motions, including rapid blinking.
Autistic persons often feel compelled to observe strict routines. The most indicative sign of repetitive behavior, however, can be compulsive collecting of items or obsessive interest in very specific topics, which relates to the link between autism and talent. At least 10% of autistic people are considered to have specialized ‘genius’.
6. Persistent repetition of words or actions
Certain autistic children may repeat or mimic words and actions in ways similar to their compulsion to organize structural objects, perhaps attempting to control and organize their surroundings.
People with autism are oversensitive to input, rather than the opposite, and their seemingly strange reactions may exhibit itself in some unusual coping mechanisms. Language and autism are a puzzle, as some autistic children show slow language development while others seem almost supernaturally advanced.
Repetition of words is not a fundamental symptom of autism, although some autistic children display this trait. It is thought that compulsive repeating displays an effort to understand not only the word but communication in general, and may even attempt to repeat positive feelings experienced when the word or phrase was learned. It may also demonstrate a fixation with a word or phrase used negatively.
7. Anxiety
Autistic people are by nature anxious, although it remains unclear why. General thinking today indicates that hypersensitivity itself makes autistic individuals anxious, as they cannot deal with all of the stimuli presented them.
This may be the core of autistic behavior yet should not be taken as a symptom per se. Because autistic children can be difficult to raise, their households may exacerbate anxiety and increase their tension.
Before you think your child may be autistic because he or she displays anxiety, honestly consider your home and assess if the environment is stable and soothing. This may not be achievable, as some families are very large an active, but it should be considered before declaring a child autistic.
8. Nervous tic
Head-banging or self-injury may present itself in autistic children. The scientific feeling is that repetitive motions calm stimuli and emotions with which the autistic individual is unable to cope. In later stages, compulsive hand washing and other symptoms we associate with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) may present.
Young people signs of an autistic disorder may compulsively arrange toys or any manner of objects, and functional adults diagnosed as autistic may habitually fiddle or doodle. These traits are closely related to the savant qualities that many autistic people display, as they may have an affinity for numbers, musical notes, or scientific facts.
9. Sensitivity to sound
Hypersensitivity to sound or light is common in autistic persons and may be an early warning sign in children. It is often thought that autism itself is a form of extreme sensitivity and an attempt to cope with a confusing world loaded with stimuli.
Sensitivity to heat, cold, loud noises and even texture have been noted. Food textures may elicit strong reactions, especially in children. Certain odors may be upsetting to autistic people, and it is noted that many autistic adults take up cigarette smoking or other habits to numb their sense of smell.
Interestingly, some autistic children seem under-sensitive. They fail to react to stimuli when a reaction is expected, which may be an example of a different coping mechanism.
10. Depression
Parents of autistic children often report noting sadness as an initial symptom. The relationship between autism and depression is complex, as an autistic individual may feel very frustrated with the world and thus be sad and blue, even at a very early age, yet not suffer from a clinical condition.
Autistic children may throw violent temper tantrums, act uncooperative, dislike physical affection, and prefer withdrawal to engaging, and these symptoms may lead to a misdiagnosis of depression before that of autism.
Depression is only comorbid with autism in 2% of children studied, which is a very low rate. Medication for depression could worsen autism, as it might affect the child’s ability to learn to cope with their confusing world.
