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Most parents of autistic children suspect that something is wrong by the time the child is 18 months old and seek help by the time the child is 2. Children with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication, social interactions, and pretend play. In some, aggression -- toward others or self -- may be present.
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Some children with autism appear normal before age 1 or 2 and then suddenly "regress" and lose language or social skills they had previously gained. This is called the regressive type of autism.
People with autism may perform repeated body movements, show unusual attachments to objects or have unusual distress when routines are changed. Individuals may also experience sensitivities in the senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste. Such children, for example, will refuse to wear "itchy" clothes and become unduly distressed if forced because of the sensitivity of their skin. Some combination of the following areas may be affected in varying degrees.
Communication:
- Is unable to start or sustain a social conversation
- Develops language slowly or not at all
- Repeats words or memorized passages, like commercials
- Doesn't refer to self correctly (for example, says "you want water" when the child means "I want water")
- Uses nonsense rhyming
- Communicates with gestures instead of words
Social interaction:
- Shows a lack of empathy
- Does not make friends
- Is withdrawn
- Prefers to spend time alone, rather than with others
- May not respond to eye contact or smiles
- May actually avoid eye contact
- May treat others as if they are objects
- Does not play interactive games
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