Children with autism generally have problems in three crucial areas of development -- social interaction, language and behavior. But because autism symptoms vary greatly, two children with the same diagnosis may act quite differently and have strikingly different skills. In most cases, though, severe autism is marked by a complete inability to communicate or interact with other people.

Some children show signs of autism in early infancy. Other children may develop normally for the first few months or years of life but then suddenly become withdrawn, become aggressive or lose language skills they've already acquired. Each child with autism is likely to have a unique pattern of behavior.

Common symptoms:

Social skills: Fails to respond to his or her name, poor eye contact, seems not to hear you at times, resists cuddling and holding, appears unaware of others' feelings, seems to prefer playing alone.

Language: Starts talking after age 2, loses previously acquired ability to say words or sentences, speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm -- may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech, can't start a conversation or keep one going, may repeat words or phrases verbatim, but doesn't understand how to use them.

Behavior: Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand-flapping, develops specific routines or rituals and is disturbed by the slightest change of routine or ritual, constant movement, fascination by parts of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car, may be unusually sensitive to light, sound and touch and yet oblivious to pain.

As they mature, some children with autism become more engaged with others and show less marked disturbances in behavior. Some, usually those with the least severe problems, eventually may lead normal or near-normal lives. Others, however, continue to have difficulty with language or social skills, and the adolescent years can mean a worsening of behavioral problems.

Most children with autism are slow to gain new knowledge or skills, and some have signs of lower than normal intelligence. Other children with autism have normal to high intelligence. These children learn quickly yet have trouble communicating, applying what they know in everyday life and adjusting in social situations. A small number of children with autism are "autistic savants" and have exceptional skills in a specific area, such as art, math or music.

See a doctor if your child:

* Doesn't babble or coo by 12 months.

Originally posted here:
What is autism? The Mayo Clinic provides some answers