Signs of autism in children

Autism in young children

Signs of autism in young children include:

• not responding to their name
• avoiding eye contact
• not smiling when you smile at them
• getting very upset if they do not like a certain taste, smell or sound
• repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, flicking their fingers or rocking their body
• not talking as much as other children
• not doing as much pretend play
• repeating the same phrases

Autism in older children

Signs of autism in older children include:

• not seeming to understand what others are thinking or feeling
• unusual speech, such as repeating phrases and talking ‘at’ others
• liking a strict daily routine and getting very upset if it changes
• having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities
• getting very upset if you ask them to do something
• finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on their own
• taking things very literally – for example, they may not understand phrases like "break a leg"
• finding it hard to say how they feel

Autism in girls and boys

Autism can sometimes be different in girls and boys.

Autistic girls may:

• hide some signs of autism by copying how other children behave and play
• withdraw in situations they find difficult
• appear to cope better with social situations
• show fewer signs of repetitive behaviours

This means autism can be harder to spot in girls.

The National Autistic Society has more information about autistic women and girls