words by the age of 2) or not speaking at all
repeating set words and phrases
speech that sounds monotonous or flat
communicating using single words, despite being able to speak in sentences
Responding to others
not responding to their name being called, despite having a hearing test showing normal hearing
rejecting cuddles initiated by a parent or carer (although they may initiate cuddles themselves)
reacting unusually negatively when asked to do something by someone else
Interacting with others
not being aware of other people's personal space, or being unusually upset by people entering their own personal space
limited interest in interacting with other people, including children of a similar age
not enjoying situations other children of their age enjoy
preferring to play alone, rather than asking others to play with them
difficulties using and understanding gestures, body language and facial expressions when communicating
avoiding eye contact
Repetitive or unusual behaviour
having repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, rocking back and forth, or flicking their fingers
playing with toys in a repetitive or unexpected way, such as lining blocks up in order of size or color, rather than showing imaginative play
preferring to have a familiar routine and getting very upset if there are changes to this routine
having a strong like or dislike of certain foods based on the texture or color of the food as much as the taste
over- or under sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as sounds, smells, colors and lights
Possible signs of autism in school-age children
The signs given here do not necessarily mean your child is autistic. And autistic children may not show all the signs.
Spoken language
avoiding using spoken language
speech that can sound monotonous or flat
speaking in pre-learned phrases, rather than putting together individual words to form new sentences
a tendency to dominate conversations with others, focusing on topics that are of particular interest to the child
Responding to others
taking people's speech literally and finding it difficult to understand sarcasm, metaphors or figures of speech
reacting very negatively when asked to do something by someone else
Interacting with others
being less aware of other people's personal space, or being very upset by people entering their own personal space
appearing to have little interest in interacting with other people, including children of a similar age, or having few close friends, despite attempts to form friendships
not understanding how people usually interact socially, such as greeting people or saying goodbye
finding it hard to adapt the tone and content of their speech to different social situations – for example, speaking very formally at a party then speaking to total strangers in a familiar way
not enjoying situations and activities that a lot of children of their age enjoy
rarely using gestures, body language or facial expressions when communicating
avoiding eye contact
Unusual or repetitive behaviour
repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, rocking back and forth, or flicking their fingers
playing in a repetitive or seemingly unimaginative way
often preferring to play with objects rather than people
developing a highly specific interest in particular subjects or activities
preferring to have a familiar routine and getting very upset if there are changes to their normal routine
having a strong like or dislike of certain foods based on the texture or color of the food as much as the taste
Possible signs of autism in adults
The signs given here do not necessarily mean an adult is autistic. And autistic adults may not show all the signs.
Interacting with others
not always understanding social "rules"
understanding "personal space" differently
feeling anxious or stressed in social situations
finding it hard to judge "appropriate" interactions, such as being either too formal or too familiar
finding it difficult to make friends and keep them
lack of eye contact or too much
Communication
speech may have a different stress or pitch
use of repetition
asking questions that other people might find inappropriate
Unusual or repetitive behaviour
preferring or being reliant on routine
feeling anxious or stressed at changes that may seem minor to other people
having particular or very focused interests
finding rituals helpful
finding it hard to understand abstract concepts, such as time and choice
Autistic adults are more likely to have had problems staying in education or finding and staying in work.
A Little Bit About Me
Hi, my name is Jeremy Tolmie I am 38 years old and have Autism spectrum disorder Level 1.
I am a certified computer technician having graduated from Academy of Learning with my Computer Service Technician Diploma with honors.
I used to work for Literacy Central Vancouver Island as a computer technician. I refurbished donated computers that go to families with kids on welfare.
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