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What Are The Symptoms of
Autism?
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Slow development
or lack of physical, social, and learning skills.
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Immature rhythms
of speech, limited understanding of ideas, and use of words
without attaching the usual meaning to them.
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Abnormal response
to sensations; sight, hearing, touch, pain, balance, smell,
taste, the way a child holds his body - any one or a combination
of these responses may be affected.
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Abnormal way of
relating to people, objects and events. |
Behavioral Checklist For Autism.
The following is a checklist of 14 behavioral signs and
symptoms that may aid you in the evaluation of an individual in whom
autism is suspected. A child with autism will exhibit seven or more of
the following traits:
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Difficulty in
mixing with other children. |
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Acts deaf. |
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Resists learning. |
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No fear of real
dangers. |
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Resists changes in
routine. |
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Indicates needs by
gesture ( leads adults by the hand to a desired object). |
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Inappropriate
laughing or giggling. |
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Resists cuddling
or being touched. |
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Marked physical
overactivity. |
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Poor eye contact. |
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Inappropriate
attachment to objects. |
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Spins objects. |
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Sustained odd
play. |
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Standoffish
manner. |
What Is Autism?
Autism is a developmental disability that typically appears during the
first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that
affects the functioning of the brain, autism and its associated
behaviors occur in approximately 15 of every 10,000 individuals,
although this statistic is on the rise.
Autism interferes with the
normal development of the brain in the areas of reasoning, social
interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism
typically have deficiencies in verbal and non-verbal communication
,social interactions, and leisure and play activities. The disorder
makes it hard for them to communicate with others and relate to the
outside world. They may exhibit repeated body movements (hand flapping
and rocking), unusual responses to people or attachment to objects, and
resist changes in routines. In some cases, aggressive and/ or
self-injurious behavior may be present.
It is conservatively
estimated that nearly 400,000 people in the U.S. today have some form of
autism. Its prevalence rate now places it as the third
most common developmental disability - more common than Down Syndrome.
Yet the majority of the public, including many professionals in the
medical, educational, and vocational fields are still unaware of how
autism affects people and how to effectively work with individuals with
autism.
Did You Know That...
In California autism is funded as a "low incidence" disability
which provides additional monies to your school district to
serve pupils with autism!
Learn More About Autism...
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To link to online publications
from NICHCY or view a list
of Fax on Demand documents available from the Autism Society of
America. |
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To browse our list of
"Links" to autism resources on the net. |
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To find support! |
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To join the Autism Society of
Orange County, a chapter of the Autism Society of America. |
© Autism
Society of America - Orange County Chapter
Last revised: 9/29/1999
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