Autism is a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication, as well as unusual and repetitive behaviors. Signs of autism typically appear by age 6 in three areas: social skills, language, and behavior. Effects can include poor eye contact, lack of response to one's name, preference for playing alone, abnormal speech patterns, repetitive behaviors, and sensitivity to stimuli. Asperger's syndrome is a related disorder affecting social skills, language, and behavior.

1. Wyatt
Autism Awareness:
Starts With You

2. Know The Difference
What is Autism? What is Asperger's syndrome?
• A spectrum of • Asperger's syndrome, also
neuropsychiatric disorders known as Asperger disorder
characterized by deficits in or Asperger syndrome, is
social interaction and one of a group of
neurodevelopmental
communication, and disorders that have effects
unusual and repetitive on an individual's
behavior. Some, but not behavior, use of language
all, people with autism are and communication, and
non-verbal. pattern of social
interactions.

3. Signs of Autism
• Signs of autism will show up in three different
categories:
– Social Skills
– Language
– Behavior
• Autism typically is not diagnosed until the
age of six but due to more research, children
can sometimes be diagnosed as early as age
one.

4. Effects On Social Skills
• Fails to respond to his or her name
• Has poor eye contact
• Appears not to hear you at times
• Resists cuddling and holding
• Appears unaware of others' feelings
• Seems to prefer playing alone — retreats into his or
her "own world"

5. Effects On Language
• Starts talking later than age 2, and has other developmental
delays by 30 months
• Loses previously acquired ability to say words or sentences
• Doesn't make eye contact when making requests
• 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

6. Effects On Behavior
• Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or
hand-flapping
• Develops specific routines or rituals
• Becomes disturbed at the slightest change in routines or
rituals
• Moves constantly
• May be fascinated 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