Autism
Caution: Sleuth is not a substitute for professional advice, and may contain inaccurate information.
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Signs and Symptoms of Autism
Overview
Parents’ descriptions of Autism on Sleuth fit into four topic areas:
Other Repeat Behavior
Defined by these two signs and behaviors: Rocking body back and forth and Echolalia (parroting back words or phrases).
Repetitive Behavior and Social Avoidance
Defined by these eight signs and behaviors: Not making eye contact, Finger, hand, or arm flapping, Anxiety, Repetitive movement or behavior, Limited (or lack of) social skills, Not responding to communication, Sensitivity to texture, touch, or physical sensations, and Dislike for crowds.
Sensitivity and Control
Defined by these nine signs and behaviors: Need for routine, Dislike for loud noises, Lining up, stacking, or organizing objects, Difficulty focusing or concentrating, Picky eating or aversion to foods / food sensations, Sensory processing issues (high or low sensitivity), Obsession, fixation, or strong interest, Tantrums or meltdowns, and Hyperactivity.
Speech, Motor, and Milestones
Defined by these four signs and behaviors: Delayed speech or language development, Walking on toes (toe walking), Non-verbal (not able to use words), and Developmental delays (behind on expected milestones).
All Signs & Symptoms of Autism
Here are the top symptoms or behaviors listed by parents of kids diagnosed with Autism:
| Symptom | Frequency | Number of mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Not making eye contact | Often | 70 mentions |
| Delayed speech or language development | Often | 52 mentions |
| Non-verbal (not able to use words) | Often | 52 mentions |
| Sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis) | Often | 43 mentions |
| Repetitive movement or behavior | Sometimes | 38 mentions |
| Not talking | Sometimes | 37 mentions |
| Limited (or lack of) social skills | Sometimes | 27 mentions |
| Developmental delays (behind on expected milestones) | Sometimes | 23 mentions |
| Lack of social skills | Sometimes | 20 mentions |
| Rocking body back and forth | Sometimes | 19 mentions |
When do symptoms start?
How to read this chart
Change in symptoms of Autism*
What happens to common Autism symptoms over time?
| Symptom | Worse | A Little Worse | Stayed About the Same | A Little Better | Better | Completely Resolved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not making eye contact | 6% | 10.4% | 22.4% | 34.3% | 23.9% | 3% |
| Non-verbal (not able to use words) | 5.9% | 15.7% | 19.6% | 31.4% | 27.5% | 0% |
| Delayed speech or language development | 0% | 10% | 6% | 40% | 42% | 2% |
| Sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis) | 4.7% | 9.3% | 18.6% | 30.2% | 34.9% | 2.3% |
| Not talking | 2.7% | 8.1% | 21.6% | 37.8% | 27% | 2.7% |
| Repetitive movement or behavior | 2.9% | 5.7% | 22.9% | 28.6% | 37.1% | 2.9% |
| Limited (or lack of) social skills | 0% | 18.5% | 14.8% | 25.9% | 40.7% | 0% |
| Developmental delays (behind on expected milestones) | 9.1% | 18.2% | 13.6% | 31.8% | 27.3% | 0% |
| Lack of social skills | 0% | 20% | 5% | 40% | 35% | 0% |
| Rocking body back and forth | 0% | 21.1% | 21.1% | 36.8% | 21.1% | 0% |
Conditions with similar symptoms to Autism
Parents also mention the behaviors, signs, and symptoms associated with Autism when they describe these conditions:
Anxiety
Symptom Frequency Number of mentions Nervousness Often 49 mentions Panic attacks Often 42 mentions Unusual fears or phobias Often 31 mentions Shyness or social anxiety Often 26 mentions Frequent crying Sometimes 25 mentions Angry behavior Sometimes 16 mentions Separation anxiety Sometimes 15 mentions Constant worry Sometimes 14 mentions Anxiety in social situations Sometimes 11 mentions Fidgeting Sometimes 11 mentions Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Symptom Frequency Number of mentions Hyperactivity Often 114 mentions Angry behavior Often 37 mentions Difficulty paying attention Sometimes 26 mentions Fidgeting Sometimes 26 mentions Impulsiveness Sometimes 25 mentions Short attention span Sometimes 23 mentions Forgetfulness Sometimes 21 mentions Difficulty focusing or concentrating Sometimes 20 mentions Talkativeness Sometimes 20 mentions Difficulty focusing in school Sometimes 18 mentions Depression
Symptom Frequency Number of mentions Sadness Often 38 mentions Keeping alone (keeping to self) Often 28 mentions Frequent crying Often 17 mentions Crying Often 14 mentions Sleeping a lot Sometimes 10 mentions Suicidal thoughts Sometimes 9 mentions Angry behavior Sometimes 7 mentions Self-harm Sometimes 7 mentions Anxiety Sometimes 6 mentions Fatigue, tiredness, or lethargy Sometimes 6 mentions