School Aged Milestones

Features of Autism

Basic social interaction can be difficult for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Many kids on the spectrum seem to prefer to live in their own world and can be detached from others.

Appears disinterested or unaware of other people or what’s going on around him
Doesn’t know how to connect with others, play, or make friends
Prefers not to be touched, held, or cuddled
Doesn’t play "pretend" games, engage in group games, imitate others, or use toys in creative ways

Has trouble understanding or talking about feelings
Doesn’t seem to hear when others talk to him
Doesn't share interests or achievements with others (drawings, toys)

Signs and symptoms of speech and language difficulties in Autism

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder can have difficulty with speech and language. Often, they start talking late and can difficulty communicating their wants and needs.

Speaks in an abnormal tone of voice, or with an odd rhythm or pitch (e.g. ends every sentence as if asking a question)
Repeats the same words or phrases over and over
Responds to a question by repeating it, rather than answering it
Refers to themselves in the third person

Uses language incorrectly (grammatical errors, wrong words)
Has difficulty communicating needs or desires
Doesn’t understand simple directions, statements, or questions
Takes what is said too literally (misses undertones of humor, irony, and sarcasm)

Signs and symptoms of non-verbal communication difficulties in Autism

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder can have trouble picking up on subtle non-verbal cues and using body language. This makes the "give-and-take" of social interaction difficult.

Avoids eye contact
Uses facial expressions that don't match what he or she is saying
Doesn’t pick up on other people’s facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures

Makes very few gestures (such as pointing). May come across as cold or “robot-like"
Reacts unusually to sights, smells, textures, and sounds. May be especially sensitive to loud noises
Abnormal posture, clumsiness, or eccentric ways of moving (e.g. walking exclusively on tiptoe)

Signs and symptoms of inflexibility in Autism

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are often restricted, inflexible, and even obsessive in their behaviours, activities, and interests.

Follows a rigid routine (e.g. insists on taking a specific route to school)
Has difficulty adapting to any changes in schedule or environment (e.g. throws a tantrum if the furniture is rearranged or bedtime is at a different time than usual)
Unusual attachments to toys or strange objects such as keys, light switches, or rubber bands
Obsessively lines things up or arranges them in a certain order
Preoccupation with a narrow topic of interest, often involving numbers or symbols (e.g. memorizing and reciting facts about maps, train schedules, or sports statistics)

Spends long periods of time arranging toys in specific ways, watching moving objects such as a ceiling fan, or focusing on one specific part of an object such as the wheels of a toy car
Repeats the same actions or movements over and over again, such as flapping hands, rocking, or twirling (known as self-stimulatory behavior, or “stimming”). Some researchers and clinicians believe that these behaviors may soothe children with autism more than stimulate them

Common self-stimulatory, or sensory seeking, behaviours:

Hand flapping
Rocking back and forth
Spinning in a circle
Finger flicking
Head banging
Staring at lights
Moving fingers in front of the eyes
Snapping fingers

Tapping ears
Scratching
Lining up toys
Spinning objects
Wheel spinning
Watching moving objects
Flicking light switches on and off
Repeating words or noises

If your child is demonstrating some of these signs and/or symptoms, or you are concerned about your child at any age, please contact your doctor for a discussion around Autism.

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Features of Autism

Signs and symptoms of speech and language difficulties in Autism

Signs and symptoms of non-verbal communication difficulties in Autism

Signs and symptoms of inflexibility in Autism

Common self-stimulatory, or sensory seeking, behaviours:

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