Subscribe Feed (RSS)What Are the Symptoms of Autism?
July 2nd, 2005 by admin | Filed under Uncategorized.Diagnosing autism is a very subjective process, though the DSM IV
lists specific criteria that must be met for a formal diagnosis
of autism. Autism is diagnosed when a child meets
A) at least six items on the following criteria, with at least
two from the first set, and at least one each from the second and
third. The criteria are:
1.) impairment of social functioning in one of the following
ways
a. impairment in using eye-to-eye contact, facial expression,
body posture and gestures to regulate social interaction
:: The child may fail to make eye contact when speaking, or
openly resist making eye contact when you attempt to engage their
gaze. Their facial expressions may be inappropriate to the
conversation, or unchanging. They don’t display ‘normal’ body
language and gestures.
b. does not develop peer relationships appropriate to age
:: Your child may not seem to ‘fit’ with the other kids in a
playgroup. If the other children are playing together and sharing
toys, he may be the one sitting in the middle of the group
oblivious to them while he pursues his own interests. He doesn’t
engage in the same type of mirroring, parallel play or
interaction as other children his age.
c. does not spontaneously seek to share enjoyment, interests or
achievements with others
:: The child doesn’t bring toys to other people to show them, or
point out things that are interesting to them. By age 2, most
children are trying to share their interests with parents and
those around them. When a child never does, it’s cause for
concern.::
d. ‘lack of social or emotional recipricocity’ (described as ‘not
participating in social activities or games, preferring solitary
activities or involving others in activities only as tools or
mechanical aids)
:: The child doesn’t engage in social give and take. This one can
be confusing - especially the part about using others as ‘tools’
or ‘mechanical aids’. An example may be the child who sits in
your lap and rocks without seeming to acknowledge that you exist
other than as a seat.::
2.) Impairments in communication characterized by:
a) delay in or total absence of spoken speech without an attempt
to compensate by using gestures or signals.
b) in children with speech, the inability to initiate or sustain
a conversation with others.
c) stereotyped or repetitive use of language such as echoing
words spoken by others or repeating words or phrases
compulsively
d) lack of imaginative play or social play that imitates others
3.) restricted stereotyped and repetitive behavior, interests and
activities, characterized by:
a. an abnormal preoccupation with one or more area of interest
b. inflexible insistence on certain rituals or routines
c. stereotyped or repetitive gestures or motions (e.g.
hand-flapping, finger flapping, rocking, twisting) that may
involve the entire body, or just one part of it.
d. Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
B) Delays or abnormal functioning in one or more of the
following:
1.) Social interaction
2.) Language for communication
3.) Symbolic or imaginary play
C) The condition doesn’t fit Rett’s syndrome or Childhood
Disintegrative Disorder
There’s no doubt that the topic of autism symptoms can be
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