Autism Spectrum Disorders Explained
Author: Rachel Evans

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) cover a variety of behaviors
and abilities and are caused by abnormal brain development.
While ASDs begin when the individual is a child, they will last
throughout the individual's life. Most individuals with ASDs
will display a lack of social skills, as well as communication
skills. While these individuals with ASDs may have a variety of
different behaviors, each individual is unlike another. While
the symptoms may be severe in one individual, they may be very
mild in another. The following are some common behaviors
emitted by individuals diagnosed with an ASD.

Generally, individuals diagnosed with ASDs will not want to
socialize with others. Some things you may notice are a lack of
eye contact with others, preferring to do activities by
themselves, and they may not want to be touched. Depending upon
the severity of the symptoms, some individuals may not even
notice when others speak to them or are trying to get their
attention. In mild cases, it may be that an individual will
simply not understand how to relate to others and in case of a
young child, they may not know how to play with other children.


When it comes to communication skills, more often than not,
individuals with ASDs will show lack of development in these
areas, as well. Many children that have been diagnosed with
ASDs do not talk at all. Some may display a repetitive speech,
such as echolalia, where they repeat the words that are said to
them. Instead of answering a question, they'll simply repeat
what was asked of them. A child with ASDs may be able to talk
and then at a later date, stop talking altogether.

Other communication behaviors may be a flat tone to their voice
and they may not be able to control how loud or softly they
talk. They may have a hard time sticking to a topic of
discussion for a long time and they may also show a lack of
listening skills. Some may stand too close to someone they are
talking to, as well as talking a lot and not letting someone
else get a chance to talk.

Individuals with ASDs may also display repetitive actions. It
might be that they have to line their items on their nightstand
up perfectly before going to bed or it may be they simply have
to stick to a certain routine. Any change in this routine may
upset them badly and throw them off kilter. These repetitive
behaviors become very important to them.

The fact is that children who have been diagnosed with ASDs
simply develop differently than those without ASDs. While they
may exhibit motor skills that are similar to other children
their age, their language and social skills may be severely
underdeveloped compared to others. Children with ASDs might be
able to put together a very intricate puzzle, but have a hard
time making friends.

The symptoms of ASDs may become less severe over time or
perhaps become more pronounced. Again, while there are many
symptoms associated with ASDs, each individual that is
diagnosed will display varying degrees of each one.


About The Author: Rachel Evans. You can get more info & signup
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