The main signs of autism are differences in how autistic people communicate and interact with others.
Autism is a spectrum condition, which means that it affects people in different ways.
But most autistic people see, hear and experience the world differently from other people.
Although the signs of autism vary widely among children, young people and adults, there are 2 common characteristics:
difficulties with social communication and interaction – autistic people may find it hard to join in conversations or to make friends
repetitive behavior, routines and activities – such as fixed daily routines, repetitive body movements and a hypersensitivity to certain sounds
Autistic people may also be under- or oversensitive to certain sounds, lights, colours and other things, known as sensory sensitivity.
These signs are present over time and have a noticeable effect on daily life.
See a GP or health visitor if you notice any of the signs of autism in your child or you're concerned about your child's development.
You can also talk to your child's teacher or care worker.
If you're an adult and are concerned about signs of autism in yourself, talk to a GP.
Possible signs of autism in pre-school children
The signs given here do not necessarily mean your child is autistic. And autistic children may not show all the signs.
Spoken language
delayed speech development (for example, speaking less than 50 different words by the age of 2) or not speaking at all
repeating set words and phrases
speech that sounds monotonous or flat
communicating using single words, despite being able to speak in sentences
Responding to others
not responding to their name being called, despite having a hearing test showing normal hearing
rejecting cuddles initiated by a parent or carer (although they may initiate cuddles themselves)
reacting unusually negatively when asked to do something by someone else
Interacting with others
not being aware of other people's personal space, or being unusually upset by people entering their own personal space
limited interest in interacting with other people, including children of a similar age
not enjoying situations other children of their age enjoy
preferring to play alone, rather than asking others to play with them
difficulties using and understanding gestures, body language and facial expressions when communicating
avoiding eye contact
Repetitive or unusual behaviour
having repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, rocking back and forth, or flicking their fingers
playing with toys in a repetitive or unexpected way, such as lining blocks up in order of size or color, rather than showing imaginative play
preferring to have a familiar routine and getting very upset if there are changes to this routine
having a strong like or dislike of certain foods based on the texture or color of the food as much as the taste
over- or under sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as sounds, smells, colors and lights
Possible signs of autism in school-age children
The signs given here do not necessarily mean your child is autistic. And autistic children may not show all the signs.
Spoken language
avoiding using spoken language
speech that can sound monotonous or flat
speaking in pre-learned phrases, rather than putting together individual words to form new sentences
a tendency to dominate conversations with others, focusing on topics that are of particular interest to the child
Responding to others
taking people's speech literally and finding it difficult to understand sarcasm, metaphors or figures of speech
reacting very negatively when asked to do something by someone else
Interacting with others
being less aware of other people's personal space, or being very upset by people entering their own personal space
appearing to have little interest in interacting with other people, including children of a similar age, or having few close friends, despite attempts to form friendships
not understanding how people usually interact socially, such as greeting people or saying goodbye
finding it hard to adapt the tone and content of their speech to different social situations – for example, speaking very formally at a party then speaking to total strangers in a familiar way
not enjoying situations and activities that a lot of children of their age enjoy
rarely using gestures, body language or facial expressions when communicating
avoiding eye contact
Unusual or repetitive behaviour
repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, rocking back and forth, or flicking their fingers
playing in a repetitive or seemingly unimaginative way
often
