The range of autism symptoms varies greatly. One individual may experience mild anxiety or avoid eye contact, whereas another may have much difficulty communicating and engage in severe tantrums. Knowing the common symptoms of autism can be helpful.

What are the Symptoms of Autism?
While autism can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional, this list of common symptoms associated with autism can help parents and caregivers know what to watch for.
Communication and Social Symptoms
-
Pragmatic Language – Most individuals on the autism spectrum have difficulty communicating with other people. This often becomes apparent during early childhood. Any delays in speech development and nonverbal communication should be evaluated by a qualified specialist.
-
Eye Contact and Nonverbal Communication – Poor and avoidance of eye contact are common symptoms among those with autism. Other non-verbal communication difficulties may include recognizing and using facial expressions, physical gestures, and overall body language.
-
Tone of Voice – Some people with autism may have difficulty regulating or modulating their tone of voice. As a result, they may speak too loudly, too quietly, and/or with a monotone voice.
Behavioral Symptoms
-
Repetitive Behaviors – Many people with autism may perform the same behaviors repetitively. This may include rocking, spinning, or flapping of the hands and arms, or flickering their fingers in front of their eyes. They may also play with toys or other objects in unusual ways, such as spinning coins or plates tirelessly and repeatedly flipping light switches.
-
Ritualistic Behaviors – This may include eating the same foods at every meal or watching the same videos over and over again. They may even become quite upset soon after any slight changes in plans.
-
Self-Injury – Some individuals on the autism spectrum bang their head against the ground or wall, bite their hands, or excessively rub or scratch their skin. There are many ways to treat these behaviors including medical, sensory, nutritional, and behavioral approaches. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if your child engages in any form of self-injurious behavior.
Conditions that can occur with autism
Several medical conditions are associated with autism, and they are often referred to as comorbidities or co-occurring conditions. These can include seizures, sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and sleep disturbances as well as gastrointestinal, metabolic, and immune dysregulation.
Talk with your doctor to identify and treat such conditions.
When do symptoms of autism appear?
Autism symptoms in children may be recognized as early as 18 months. More recently, adults are being diagnosed with autism, and this is likely due to increased awareness and screening during medical appointments.
If you suspect that your son or daughter may have autism, it’s time to talk to your doctor. Interventions can make a big difference for both your child’s health and development.
Learn about autism treatments for children and adults.
How Age – and Age of Diagnosis – Affect Quality of Life
Dr. Gray Atherton discusses the critical role of age and age of diagnosis in shaping the quality of life for autistic individuals. She provides a brief history of autism understanding and considers how
The Complexities of Establishing Evidence-Based Interventions for Autism
Giacomo Vivanti, Ph.D., dives into the complexities of establishing evidence-based autism interventions. He describes the ever-changing state of intervention literature, noting that autistic individuals still experience health inequalities. The speaker discusses four aspects of
Study indicates that early diagnosis can significantly benefit children with autism
Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) very early in childhood are likely to do significantly better than those diagnosed later, according to a new study from Israel.In their research, Nitzan Gabbay-Dizdar
What is Toe Walking?
Toe walking refers to a gait cycle/walking pattern in which the heel does not contact the ground; this is a common developmental variation in young children (aged three and under) and generally isn't
Autism Symptoms and Diagnosis in Adults
The mean age of autism diagnosis in the US and UK is 4 to 5, though later diagnoses do occur (Zwiagenbaum et al., 2019). Age at diagnosis depends upon variables such as
Symptoms are similar in young boys, girls with ASD
Research indicates that in school-aged children, teenagers, and adults with autism spectrum (ASD), symptoms differ significantly between males and females. Because of this, there are concerns that the skewed male-to-female ratio