Every person with autism has a unique personality and combination of symptoms or characteristics. People with autism process and respond to information in unique ways and therefore not all characteristics fit all individuals. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. Persons with autism may also exhibit some of the following traits.
Insistence on sameness; resistance to change
Difficulty in expressing needs; uses gestures or pointing instead of words
Repeats words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language
Laughs, cries, or shows distress for no apparent reason
Prefers to be alone; aloof manner
Tantrums
Difficulty interacting with others
Resists being held or cuddled
Little or no eye contact
Unresponsive to normal teaching methods
Sustained inappropriate play
Spins or lines up objects
Inappropriate attachments to objects
Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain
No real fears of danger
Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity
Uneven gross/fine motor skills
Not responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf although hearing tests in normal range.
