by Elizabeth Butler
Each individual with autism is affected differently. Very few autistics have the exact same issues. Very few individuals with autism are affected with all the issues specified below.
Some autistic traits could include:
— Excessive or frequent tantrums
— Can be aggressive or self-injurious
— Prefers to be alone — may have social skills deficits
— Oversensitive or undersensitive 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.)
— Much difficulty expressing needs — they may use pointing, gestures versus words, or tantrums
— 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
— Autistics can act deaf or be nonresponsive to verbal cues
— Odd play such as spinning objects, or using toys for something besides their intended purpose or using an odd attraction to an item that is inappropriate for age
— Nonexistent or poor eye contact
— Nonresponsive 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)
— Highly self-limited diet (narrow down foods they’ll eat to a very limited few items when previously a broader range was accepted (e.g., bread, chicken nuggets, cheese, milk, and crackers – period)
— A high amount of severe food allergies
— History of chronic ear infections as an infant
— Severe gastrointestinal issues; chronic loose and/or foul-smelling stools
— Lack of imaginative play or imitation
— Scatter/splinter skills of abilities — such as poor gross motor or fine motor skills and the ability to read at a very young age
— Talk About Curing Autism
