| Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) cover a | | | | able to talk and then at a later date, stop talking |
| variety of behaviors and abilities and are caused | | | | altogether. |
| by abnormal brain development. While ASDs begin | | | | Other communication behaviors may be a flat |
| when the individual is a child, they will last | | | | tone to their voice and they may not be able to |
| throughout the individual's life. Most individuals with | | | | control how loud or softly they talk. They may |
| ASDs will display a lack of social skills, as well as | | | | have a hard time sticking to a topic of discussion |
| communication skills. While these individuals with | | | | for a long time and they may also show a lack of |
| ASDs may have a variety of different behaviors, | | | | listening skills. Some may stand too close to |
| each individual is unlike another. While the | | | | someone they are talking to, as well as talking a |
| symptoms may be severe in one individual, they | | | | lot and not letting someone else get a chance to |
| may be very mild in another. The following are | | | | talk. |
| some common behaviors emitted by individuals | | | | Individuals with ASDs may also display repetitive |
| diagnosed with an ASD. | | | | actions. It might be that they have to line their |
| Generally, individuals diagnosed with ASDs will not | | | | items on their nightstand up perfectly before |
| want to socialize with others. Some things you | | | | going to bed or it may be they simply have to |
| may notice are a lack of eye contact with others, | | | | stick to a certain routine. Any change in this |
| preferring to do activities by themselves, and | | | | routine may upset them badly and throw them |
| they may not want to be touched. Depending | | | | off kilter. These repetitive behaviors become |
| upon the severity of the symptoms, some | | | | very important to them. |
| individuals may not even notice when others | | | | The fact is that children who have been |
| speak to them or are trying to get their attention. | | | | diagnosed with ASDs simply develop differently |
| In mild cases, it may be that an individual will | | | | than those without ASDs. While they may exhibit |
| simply not understand how to relate to others | | | | motor skills that are similar to other children their |
| and in case of a young child, they may not know | | | | age, their language and social skills may be |
| how to play with other children. | | | | severely underdeveloped compared to others. |
| When it comes to communication skills, more | | | | Children with ASDs might be able to put together |
| often than not, individuals with ASDs will show | | | | a very intricate puzzle, but have a hard time |
| lack of development in these areas, as well. Many | | | | making friends. |
| children that have been diagnosed with ASDs do | | | | The symptoms of ASDs may become less |
| not talk at all. Some may display a repetitive | | | | severe over time or perhaps become more |
| speech, such as echolalia, where they repeat the | | | | pronounced. Again, while there are many |
| words that are said to them. Instead of | | | | symptoms associated with ASDs, each individual |
| answering a question, they'll simply repeat what | | | | that is diagnosed will display varying degrees of |
| was asked of them. A child with ASDs may be | | | | each one. |