Warning Signs of Autism

Children and adults with an autism spectrum disorder might:

• Not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll)
• Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over)
• Not look at objects when another person points at them
• Have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all
• Avoid eye contact and want to be alone
• Have trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
• Prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to
• Appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds
• Be very interested in people, but not know how to talk to, play with, or relate to them
• Repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language (echolalia)
• Have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
• Repeat actions over and over again
• Have trouble adapting to changes in routine
• Have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
• Lose skills they once had (for instance, stop saying words they were once using)*
  

*Talk to your child’s doctor or nurse if your child loses skills at any age.

Source: CDC Autism Info