Being a spectrum disorder the characteristics for autism vary greatly. The symptoms of autism can present themselves from being very mild in nature to being severe and life destroying. Autism is also commonly referred to as different levels of severity form being autistic like, high functioning or low functioning. No matter the level of the autistic child’s abilities with the proper teaching methods, intervention and supports our loved ones can make great progress and possibly learn to function at their full capacity. Many high functioning individuals appear almost entirely normal to those unaware of their disability.

The autistic individual may present any combination and degree of severity of the following.

• Avoidance of eye contact or complete lack or eye contact.

• May not imitate others as most child do.

• May not use hand gestures or pointing out of items of interest.

• Prefers to be alone.

• May not interact with others well or understand common social cues.

• Inability to speak, or very limited speech present.

• Language delays may present as heavy or severe in nature.

• Repetitive word uses. ( Mimics words or phrases on t.v or by those around them.)

• Lack of imagination during play time.

• Narrow ranges of interest ( obsessive about one thing, trains, dinosaurs etc.)

• Insists on strictness of routine, very little routine changes upset them greatly.

• Self Injurious behaviours, including head banging.

• Preoccupation with part of object, instead of the toy or object as a whole.

The characteristics for autism can vary from child to child and adult to adult. These symptoms can also change and evolve over the persons life time. No matter the issues that affect your loved ones, you can do your best to help the one you love by being open minded and nurturing and understanding the fact that they cannot help themselves in the way they are.