Since it affects each person differently, ASD encompasses a wide array of behaviors and characteristics. However, there are three symptom groups usually associated with the condition: impaired social interaction, problems with communication, and repetitive behaviors. Being aware of these will somehow enable one to spot early signs of autism, so afflicted individuals can get the help that they need. In this blog, we shall discuss these three core symptoms and share how We Care Support can further assist in tending to the needs of those with autism.
1. Social Interaction Difficulties
Social challenges often form one of the earliest visible signs of autism. Individuals with autism may have difficulty reading social signals, engaging in reciprocal conversations, and understanding the emotions or perspectives of others.
- Difficulty Maintaining Eye Contact: Many with autism may have difficulty maintaining eye contact, or they completely avoid it, which in turn makes every social engagement a little bit more challenging.
- Limited Interest in Peers: Appearing to have little interest in playing or being with others, including feelings of discomfort around others.
- Difficulty with Social Norm Understanding: They might have difficulty reading silent social clues, such as how much distance to maintain from a person or interpreting body gestures.
These differences in functioning bring about misunderstandings and make the connections with other people more difficult. It is possible for the above-mentioned skills to be developed with the assistance of a proficient therapist, which would enable the persons with Asperger’s Syndrome to be better in control over their social functioning.
2. Communication Challenges
Other revealing symptoms could be communication problems that include both verbal and non-verbal. Individuals with autism have problems in both expressive and receptive communications; these are manifested in different ways.
- Delayed Speech Development: Some individuals with autism are non-verbal, and some may have delayed speech development. Others may use speech in unique ways, such as repeating phrases, known as echolalia, or using unconventional language.
- Literal Use of Language: People with autism do not understand figures of speech, sarcasm, or idioms and hence interpret such words, phrases, or sentences literally, which may result in confusion.
- Non-verbal Communication Problems: Individuals with Autism do not give appropriate gestures, facial expressions, and body language that must be in congruence with what they are communicating.
Accordingly, this may include learning other means of communication with speech and language therapists or developing verbal means of communication in cases of autism.
3. Repetitive Behaviors and Routines
The repetitive behaviors and insistence on routines are symptoms equally characteristic of autism, manifested as bodily movements, a limited interest, or an intense preoccupation with selected topics.
- Repetitive Movements: This could be common hand-flapping, rocking, spinning, and other self-soothing actions to receive a sensory input, also referred to as “stimming.”.
- Following Schedules Rigorously: Most individuals with autism favor predictability; altered routines can easily distress them. A need for predictability comforts them, though it reduces flexibility.
- Intense Preoccupation with Restricted Interests: Autistic people tend to develop such a focus on specific interests that sometimes they spend hours took up in a restricted area. Whereas such Co-occurring Strengths will sometimes take benefits reaping impressive knowledge, it can be hectic for social interactions due to the fact other people may not be interested in topics of discussion.
Such understanding of the behaviors in the light of autism will help to build an enabling environment, where the individual is at ease because of flexibility and patience. In fact, therapists can help to develop certain coping strategies, especially if such routines or other behaviors are causing a lot of stress.
Contact We Care Support Today
We Care Support is dedicated to helping persons with autism overcome the challenges associated with the condition. Our services for autism include comprehensive diagnostics, individually developed plans for therapy, and skill-building sessions focused on social, communicational, and behavioral development.
At We Care Support, our team of professionals works with each family to create individualized supports that enable people with autism to reach their full capabilities. Whether we are working on improving social skills, developing communication methods, or finding ways to cope, We Care Support provides a threatening-free environment where everyone can progress toward his or her capabilities.
Ready to support your loved one’s journey? Reach out today to We Care Support’s Autism assessment team in Orlando, FL and discover our range of autism support services. Together, let us make a difference.
