Those with Autism Spectrum Disorder [ASD] may exhibit the following:

SOCIALIZATION:

• awkward and clumsy
• naive and gullible
• poor eye contact
• difficulty developing peer relationships
• at risk of victimization (bullying) by peers
• inappropriate body language or facial expression
• problems recognizing the nuances of social interaction
• difficulty understanding other’s feelings or emotions, but once aware will have an appropriate degree of compassion

COMMUNICATION:

• inability to maintain reciprocal [give and take] conversation
• extreme literal use and interpretation of language
• unusual speech patterns: repetitive speech, abnormal tone and/or volume, irrelevant remarks, stilted/formal manner, tendency to lecture others
  

BEHAVIOR & THOUGHT:

• easily upset by changes in routine
• rigid, ritualistic behavioral patterns
• fixation on one subject or object
• repetitive movements, thoughts and/or speech
• peculiar eating patterns

COMMON ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS:

• emotional sensitivity and under/overreaction
• fears and anxiety
• hyper/hypo-sensitivity to sensory stimuli (sounds, light, taste, touch, odors, pain)
• physical awkwardness
• problems with spatial awareness
• creative thinking and unconventional problem solving
• exceptional skills (e.g., memory, music, art, math)
• sleeping difficulties

AHA Association
www.ahany.org
info@ahany.org
PO Box 916
Bethpage, NY 11714-0916
516.470.0360