- enquiries@neuroaffinity.co.uk
- 0776 856 5162
- enquiries@neuroaffinity.co.uk
- 0776 856 5162
Every autistic child is different, and recognising the signs early can help them access the understanding and support they need.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects communication and social interaction. It is a spectrum disorder, which means it affects people differently and to varying degrees.
The signs of autism in children can vary, but some common characteristics are typically present in autistic children.
One of the most common signs of autism in children is difficulty with communication. Autistic children may have trouble with verbal and nonverbal communication, such as making eye contact, expressing themselves, and understanding the language of others. They may also struggle to understand sarcasm or jokes and have difficulty initiating or maintaining conversations.
Another common sign of autism in children is difficulty with social interaction. Autistic children may have trouble understanding social cues and making friends. They may also need help understanding the perspectives of others and find engaging in group activities hard.
Autistic children may display repetitive behaviours, such as rocking, spinning, or flapping their hands. They may also have a strong interest in a specific topic or object and may become fixated on it to the exclusion of other activities.
Autistic children with autism may also lack interest in social interaction. They may not enjoy playing with other children or prefer to be alone. They may also have a hard time understanding the emotions of others and might not understand the importance of social relationships.
Some autistic children struggle with nonverbal communication, such as facial expressions, body language, and gestures. They may also have trouble understanding the meaning of tone of voice and may not understand the nuances of social interactions.
It is important to note that these signs may not be present in all autistic children with autism, and some children may exhibit different signs. It’s also important to remember that these signs may be present in children who do not have autism and should be assessed by a qualified professional to make a diagnosis. Early diagnosis and intervention are very important. With a diagnosis, various interventions can help autistic children, with treatment options including behavioural therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
Characteristic features of autism may emerge during infancy, although they are often only recognised as signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder in retrospect.
In many cases, autism can be diagnosed during the preschool years, particularly in children who show signs of general developmental delay.
Some children may experience a plateau in their social communication and language development, where progress slows or stops for a period of time.
A small number of children experience a true regression between the ages of one and two, where they lose previously acquired words or social responsiveness. This is uncommon but clinically significant and rarely occurs after the age of three.
In these cases, clinicians may use the qualifier “with loss of previously acquired skills” as part of the diagnosis.
In preschool children, signs of autism can include avoiding eye contact, resisting physical affection and showing little interest in imaginative or social play.
Some children may have delayed speech, while others develop language early but find it difficult to use for social interaction and conversation.
You may also notice social withdrawal, repetitive behaviours or intense interests, alongside limited interaction with other children, often preferring to play alone or alongside others rather than with them.
Sensory sensitivities to everyday sounds, textures or certain foods are also common and can sometimes be more noticeable than social communication differences.
For some children, particularly those without a learning disability, signs of autism may not become fully apparent until they start school or reach adolescence.
As social expectations increase, difficulties with communication and forming friendships can become more noticeable, sometimes leading to social isolation.
Many autistic children also find unfamiliar experiences or changes to routines difficult and may prefer predictability and structure.
A strong focus on detail, rigid patterns of thinking or behaviour and increased anxiety can also become more apparent as they grow older.
By adolescence, the increasing social and academic demands of everyday life can become more difficult to manage.
Challenges with social communication and friendships may become more noticeable, and some young people may begin to withdraw from their peers.
In some cases, autism can be overlooked because symptoms of other mental health conditions become more prominent.
Depression and anxiety are common during this stage and may be the first reason a young person seeks support.
Getting a diagnosis for your child or teenager can be key to understanding their challenges and ensuring they get the best possible support in place.
As parents, we are often loathed to ‘label’ our children, worried that doing so may somehow define them unfairly. However, an autism diagnosis has many benefits, including:
Creating an understanding of why your child finds certain things challenging
Ensuring your child has the correct support around them to enable them to thrive
Giving your child a way to understand why they find some things difficult compared to other children
It’s important to get an assessment with a qualified professional who is trained and experienced in diagnosing autism to ensure they consider all aspects of your child’s life and other conditions that may be present.
The ‘gold-standard’ approach to diagnosing autism in children is to have several clinicians involved – this is known as a multi-disciplinary approach and ensures a comprehensive and objective assessment.
Our autism assessments use evidence-approved recommendations with input from some of the most experienced clinicians in the UK.
Autism assessments are extremely thorough, and parents are often amazed at the detail our clinicians go into to ensure they have the right information to inform important diagnostic decisions. Please see the ‘Autism Assessment’ page to see the autism assessment process.