Autism is a neurological disorder of the brain which develops in infancy and endured till adulthood which is a matter of concern among all disorders. It causes impairment in behavior of the child resulting in poor communicative and social interactive skills. Though autistic people do not look different from normal people their body language and behavior make them distinct in a crowd.
The signs of autism are usually spotted in the early years of a child and become obvious by three years of age. All autistic children are unique in their behavior and traits. The learning also differs from one child to another. Some autistic people have high functioning while some have very low functions. The high functioning autistic people have good IQ and can excel in math, music and arts. But the low functioning people are the unfortunate as they cannot live on their own and always need the help of an caregiver or escort.
Autistic people have behavioral problem due to insensitivity and are often unhappy. They maintain routine for themselves and never accept any changes in it. They also have repetitive behavior like rocking of the body. They do not have a well coordinated life style. They do not respond impulsively as they find it difficult to adapt to new environments.
The following indications and symptoms determine autism in a child according to The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.
1. Lack of definite skills, lack of compassion, inability to handle the suffering.
2. Indifferent to people and so cannot relate to them. All behavior of autistic people relate only to themselves.
3. No eye contact, poor social interactions and so stays aloof.
4. They are not aware of others emotions and do not communicate their feelings.
5. Lack of response when addressed by name and poor attention towards other people.
6. Struggle to convey their requirements.
7. They repeat words in a conversation and have unclear speech.
8. Strange response to sounds, smells and taste.
9. Impairment of the skills they once had.