Alester Brown

Signs You May Be on the Spectrum

It's estimated that roughly one percent of the world's population has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the number of people getting autism counseling is far lower.

Autism is a developmental disability that can affect many aspects of a person's life. Differences in the brain can negatively impact an individual's ability to learn and socialize. It can also cause repetitive behaviors and affect interactions with others.

The symptoms of autism can vary from one person to another. But here are a few signs that you may be on the spectrum.

General Autism Characteristics

ASD can manifest itself in many ways. General characteristics can appear in young children and adults.

For younger kids, some of the first symptoms involve movement, language and learning delays. Children might take longer to develop these crucial skills, putting them behind their peers before entering grade school.

Hyperactivity, unusual emotional reactions and general anxiety are also common. Both children and adults might respond to fear differently than their peers, expressing more or less fear than expected in challenging situations.

In some individuals, epilepsy, seizures, unusual sleeping habits and gastrointestinal issues could also indicate autism.

Symptoms Involving Communication and Social Interactions

Autism counseling may be necessary if a child or adult exhibits challenges in social environments. Autism often causes individuals to exhibit unusual behaviors when interacting with others.

Common symptoms of autism include:

• Inability to maintain eye contact

• A lack of facial expressions

• Difficulty for children to respond to their name

• A lack of interest in interactive games

• Inability to use gestures when communicating

• A lack of empathy and the inability to notice when others are hurt or upset

• Challenges expressing interests

• The absence of an imagination

Repetitive Behaviors and Compulsions

Certain repetitive behaviors could indicate that a person is on the spectrum.

In kids, common examples include lining up toys and getting upset when the order gets ruined, repeating phrases, playing with toys the same way repeatedly, obsessive rocking, excessive spinning, etc.

Adults may exhibit similar behaviors. They can also get upset at relatively minor changes, have obsessive interests and display unusual reactions to sights, sounds or smells.

Author Resource:-

Alester Brown writes about physiotherapy. She advises people on health care, online therapy, anxiety discussion groups & depression message boards. You can find her thoughts at online counselor blog.