Individuals diagnosed with autism respond and interact with information in different ways. In some cases, individuals with autism may not be able to speak, may have self-stimulatory behaviors (such as hand flapping, vocal utterances, repetitive behaviors), may be aggressive or be self-injurious.  Some individuals with Autism only have just a few of these traits listed below, while others may have many more.

Some traits of autism could include:

• Scatter/splinter skills of abilities –
• such as poor gross motor or fine motor skills and the ability to read at a very young age
• Oversensitive or under sensitive to pain
• Desire for the same daily schedule, toys, type of clothes or an insistent on “sameness”
• Repeating words, phrases in place of typical language or conversation (This is known as echolalia)
• Difficulty expressing needs – for instance, using pointing, gestures or tantrums instead of using words to express their needs
• Finding situations funny or laughing at times when it is inappropriate (i.e. laughing at a baby crying.)
• Activity is noticeably under active or over active
• Excessive or Frequent tantrums
• Can be aggressive or self injurious
• Prefers to be alone – may have social skills deficits
• Autistics can act deaf or be non responsive to verbal cues
• Odd play such as; spinning objects, or using toys for something besides there their intended purpose or using an odd attraction to an item that is inappropriate for age
• Non existent or poor eye contact
• Non responsive to typical teaching methods
• May respond negatively to crowds or not able to mix well with others
• Difficulty with holding a conversation
• May not like hugs, or to be cuddled.
• Sensitivity to loud noises, tags in clothes, coarse clothing, lights, and smells
• Frequently uses peripheral vision to track items (e.g., rolling car along countertop at eye-level)
• Self-limited diet - some children have a broader range at an earlier age but over time may start self-limiting their food selections.  Self-limiting can also include food that must be all the same color, size, shape etc.
• Severe food allergies
• History of chronic ear infections as an infant
• Severe gastro-intestinal issues / chronic loose and/or foul-smelling stools.
• Lack of imaginative play or imitation.