Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Children with autism often exhibit behaviors that are different from typical children their age. Some common behaviors associated with autism include:
Difficulties with Social Interaction and Communication
Many children with autism have difficulties with social interaction and communication. Some common behaviors include:
- Avoiding eye contact or preferring to play alone
- Difficulty understanding facial expressions, tone of voice, jokes or sarcasm
- Delayed or lack of spoken language
- Repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language
- Difficulty initiating or maintaining conversations
- Difficulty making friends or lack of interest in peers
These social and communication challenges can manifest in different ways depending on the child. Some children may be very withdrawn while others are interested in interacting but don’t know how. Many children with autism have deficits in social-emotional reciprocity where there is a lack of sharing emotions and interests with others.
Repetitive and Restrictive Behaviors
Children with autism frequently engage in repetitive or restrictive behaviors. These can include:
- Repetitive body movements like rocking, hand flapping, spinning, or finger flicking
- Obsessive attachment to unusual objects like rubber bands or keys
- Preoccupation with specific topics, especially numbers, symbols or science facts
- Strict adherence to routines and disliking change
- Narrow or restricted interests and activities
- Unusual sensory behaviors like sniffing objects or dislike of certain textures
These repetitive behaviors are believed to be soothing mechanisms for children with autism. The routines and sameness provide comfort and stability. Disrupting the patterns can cause distress and behavioral outbursts.
Speech and Language Deficits
Many children with autism experience speech and language deficits. These can range from:
- Delayed speech and language skills
- Minimal or no spoken language (about 25-30% of children with autism are nonverbal)
- Echolalia or repeating words and phrases
- Speaking in an unusual tone, rhythm or volume
- Difficulty starting conversations or responding to others
- Idiosyncratic use of words or phrases
- Rote memorization and use of language instead of functional communication
Even children with strong vocabularies may still have trouble with the social aspects of language like conversational turn-taking, making eye contact and reading nonverbal cues.
Sensory Processing Issues
Unusual responses to sensory input are common in autism. Children may be oversensitive or undersensitive to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light, colors, temperatures, or pain. Some examples of unusual sensory behaviors include:
- Disliking loud noises like vacuum cleaners or finding certain sounds painful
- Sniffing toys, food or people
- Chewing on non-food items
- Fascination with lights, spinning objects or spinning themselves
- Not responding to heat, cold or injury
- Disliking certain food textures and only eating certain foods
- Disliking being touched unexpectedly or being held
Sensory sensitivities can lead to meltdowns or behavioral outbursts in overwhelming environments. Many children with autism benefit from occupational therapy to help modulate their sensory experience of the world.
Behavioral and Emotional Challenges
The social, communication and sensory challenges of autism can lead to difficulties regulating behavior and emotions. Common behavioral and emotional issues include:
- Tantrums, meltdowns and aggression
- Self-injurious behaviors like head banging
- Difficulty coping with change and transitioning between activities
- Impulsivity and difficult waiting
- Inattention, hyperactivity, and poor concentration
- Unusual reactions to sensory stimuli
- Anxiety and depression
These behavioral challenges are often exacerbated by the difficulties children with autism experience in expressing their wants and needs to others. Appropriate behavioral and educational interventions can help reduce the frequency and intensity of problematic behaviors.
Uneven Skill Development
Children with autism often have an uneven profile of skill development. Some common variances include:
- Normal or advanced motor skills, but poor coordination
- Talent for rote memory, but poor comprehension
- Advanced reading or language ability, but inability to hold a conversation
- Excellent musical ability or computational skills, but lack of daily living skills
- Normal to high intelligence, but significant learning disabilities
The mix of strengths and deficits is unique for each child. But uneven skill development is often seen as assets and challenges can vary widely across different areas of functioning.
Common Comorbid Conditions
Children with autism frequently have comorbid (co-occurring) conditions that further affect functioning. Some of the most common comorbidities include:
- ADHD – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is seen in an estimated 30-61% of children with ASD.
- Anxiety – symptoms of anxiety occur in approximately 29% of children with autism.
- Depression – an estimated 7% of children on the spectrum have depressive symptoms.
- GI Issues – gastrointestinal problems like constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are more common in ASD.
- Seizures/Epilepsy – seizures occur in up to a third of people with autism.
- Sleep Dysfunction – insomnia and other sleep disturbances commonly occur with ASD.
- Sensory Processing Disorder – as many as 90% may have sensory integration dysfunction.
Treatment typically requires a multidisciplinary approach to address the autism symptoms and manage comorbid conditions for improved functioning.
Characteristics and Behaviors by Age
The characteristics and behaviors exhibited by children on the autism spectrum change as they age. Some common features at different ages include:
| Age | Common Behaviors |
|---|---|
| Infants (0-2 years) |
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| Preschool (3-5 years) |
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| School Age (6-12 years) |
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| Adolescence (13+ years) |
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The stage of development affects symptom presentation but the core deficits of social communication and restricted/repetitive behaviors persist across ages. Intervention at any age can help promote skills.
Common Assessment and Diagnostic Tools
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder involves clinical observation, questionnaires, and assessment tools to identify the characteristic behaviors. Some of the most common diagnostic tools include:
- ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2nd edition) – structured interaction and observation by a trained professional.
- ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) – parent interview on developmental history and ASD symptoms.
- CARS2 (Childhood Autism Rating Scale) – parent questionnaire and direct observation of child.
- SCQ (Social Communication Questionnaire) – parent questionnaire about communication skills and social functioning.
- Gilliam Autism Rating Scale – parent questionnaire on frequency of autistic behaviors.
- M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) – parent-reported screen for ASD risk in young children.
Using multiple assessment tools and input from parents and doctors provides the most accurate diagnostic picture. Ongoing observation is also key, as symptoms evolve over time.
Evidence-Based Interventions and Treatments
While there is no “cure” for ASD, evidence-based interventions can greatly improve functioning and reduce problematic symptoms. Proven therapies include:
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) – uses reinforcement to teach communication, social, motor, and daily living skills.
- Speech Therapy – improves language and communication abilities.
- Occupational Therapy – helps with sensory, motor, and visual-spatial skills.
- Physical Therapy – improves balance, coordination, and motor planning.
- Social Skills Training – teaches appropriate social interaction and behavior.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – manages challenging behaviors and builds coping strategies.
- Medications – may be used to treat comorbid conditions like anxiety, ADHD, or depression.
Treatment is tailored to the individual child’s needs and developmental level. Intensive early intervention offers the best outcomes. But therapies remain beneficial across the lifespan to promote independence.
Key Takeaways on Behaviors in Autism
- Difficulties with social communication and interaction are core deficits.
- Repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and adherence to routine are common.
- Speech and language deficits range from minimal to advanced skills.
- Sensory sensitivities and unusual responses to stimuli frequently occur.
- Emotional and behavioral regulation challenges are prevalent.
- Uneven skill profiles and comorbid conditions are typical.
- Symptom manifestation changes across developmental stages.
- Evidence-based therapies and interventions can improve prognosis.
Conclusion
Autism spectrum disorder causes a wide range of behavioral symptoms and developmental challenges. Social communication deficits combined with restrictive/repetitive behaviors are hallmarks of ASD, but manifestation varies greatly. With appropriate interventions and accommodations, people with autism can thrive and participate meaningfully in all aspects of life.