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Autism

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Signs and Symptoms of Autism

Overview

Parents’ descriptions of Autism on Sleuth fit into four topic areas:

  1. Other Repeat Behavior

    Defined by these two signs and behaviors: Rocking body back and forth, and Echolalia (parroting back words or phrases).

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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:

SymptomFrequencyNumber of mentions
Not making eye contactOften70 mentions
Delayed speech or language developmentOften52 mentions
Non-verbal (not able to use words)Often52 mentions
Sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis)Often43 mentions
Repetitive movement or behaviorSometimes38 mentions
Not talkingSometimes37 mentions
Limited (or lack of) social skillsSometimes27 mentions
Developmental delays (behind on expected milestones)Sometimes23 mentions
Lack of social skillsSometimes20 mentions
Rocking body back and forthSometimes19 mentions

When do symptoms start?

How to read this chart

  • Not making eye contact

    0 years old
    Amount of children: 3%
    1 years old
    Amount of children: 3%
    2 years old
    Amount of children: 3%
    3 years old
    Amount of children: 2%
    4 years old
    Amount of children: 2%
    5 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    6 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    7 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    8 years old
    Amount of children: 1%
    9 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    10 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    11 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    12 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    13 years old
    Amount of children: 1%
    14 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    15 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    16 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    17 years old
    Amount of children: 0%

    average 2 years 10 months old

  • Delayed speech or language development

    0 years old
    Amount of children: 3%
    1 years old
    Amount of children: 3%
    2 years old
    Amount of children: 3%
    3 years old
    Amount of children: 2%
    4 years old
    Amount of children: 1%
    5 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    6 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    7 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    8 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    9 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    10 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    11 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    12 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    13 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    14 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    15 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    16 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    17 years old
    Amount of children: 0%

    average 2 years 3 months old

  • Non-verbal (not able to use words)

    0 years old
    Amount of children: 3%
    1 years old
    Amount of children: 3%
    2 years old
    Amount of children: 3%
    3 years old
    Amount of children: 1%
    4 years old
    Amount of children: 1%
    5 years old
    Amount of children: 1%
    6 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    7 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    8 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    9 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    10 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    11 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    12 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    13 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    14 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    15 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    16 years old
    Amount of children: 0%
    17 years old
    Amount of children: 0%

    average 2 years 8 months old

Change in symptoms of Autism*

What happens to common Autism symptoms over time?

SymptomWorseA Little WorseStayed About the SameA Little BetterBetterCompletely Resolved
Not making eye contact6%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 development0%10%6%40%42%2%
Sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis)4.7%9.3%18.6%30.2%34.9%2.3%
Not talking2.7%8.1%21.6%37.8%27%2.7%
Repetitive movement or behavior2.9%5.7%22.9%28.6%37.1%2.9%
Limited (or lack of) social skills0%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 skills0%20%5%40%35%0%
Rocking body back and forth0%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:

Care of Autism

Common treatments, therapies, and parenting techniques for Autism

Less common responses for Autism

TreatmentRatingDiscussion
1Therapy / Counseling
Neutral2.6 of 5
Read 2 comments

Discussion of Autism

What was your approach to Autism? What were the results?

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