Traits of autism in children may include having speech differences, social communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, behavioral differences, and more.
Agrobacter / istock
This article discusses autistic traits and signs of autism in kids, the age at which these may be seen, and what to do if your child shows autistic traits.
What Does Autism in Children Look Like?
Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because no single trait is common to all and there is wide variation in the intensity of traits people experience.
Autism is a developmental disorder, which means that no single trait or behavior, on its own, is likely to suggest a child is autistic. These differences must be significant to qualify for a diagnosis. They must strongly impact the child’s ability to do age-appropriate tasks, make friends, or succeed atschool.
Speech Differences
Autistic children almost always have some kind ofspeech difference. For example, they may:
They may also speak very quickly, say the same thing over and over again (echolalia), or use incorrect grammar when they should be old enough to speak correctly.
Social Communication Difficulties
Autistic children always have socialcommunication difficulties, which can show up in many different ways:
Autistic children may take longer than their peers to learn to play with—rather than near—other children.
Sensory Sensitivity
Most autistic children have some kind of sensory sensitivity, such as:
Autistic children often (though not always) move differently than other children. “Stims” (short forself-stimulation) are common and may look idiosyncratic to people unfamiliar with neurodiversity.
For example, while many children may suck their thumbs, bite their nails, or twirl their hair, autistic children may additionally be likely to flap their hands, run on their toes, or rock back and forth.
Autistic children are also more likely to walk stiffly with their hands held still at their sides or run with an awkward gait. They may be clumsy and have difficulty throwing, catching, writing, or drawing.
Behavior Differences
Autistic kids behave differently from their typical peers. While neurotypical (the usual way of processing information) children may tantrum to get their way (or because they are tired or hungry), autistic children are more likely to havemeltdownsor tantrums because they are overwhelmed, frustrated, or unable to communicate their needs.
Other behavioral differences may include:
Even a teen or adult may suddenly burst out crying over a change in plans or a forgotten water bottle. In some cases, autistic children can be impulsive or self-harming or they may run away (called “eloping”) for reasons that are unapparent to parents or peers.
Style of Play
Autistic children often play differently than their peers.They may:
They may find it difficult to follow the rules of sports like soccer or baseball.
Behaviors and mental processing of autistic children can range from quirky to very atypical. They may do well academically and/or have learning disabilities.
At What Age Do Kids Show Signs of Autism?
It’s important to get a diagnosis as early as possible because research shows that early detection and intervention greatly improve outcomes.
Some early traits of autism include:
Sometimes autism traits become apparent in school-age children. Later traits of autism may include:
Why It Is Important to Recognize Autism in Children
There are several reasons why it’s important to recognize, diagnose, and support autistic children. Here are just a few:
Is Autism Different in Boys and Girls?Thediagnostic criteria for autismdon’t outwardly discriminate based on gender. However, research suggests that autism may look quitedifferent in girls, making it difficult to diagnose using existing criteria.This is because participants were boys in most early studies of autistic children.
Is Autism Different in Boys and Girls?
Thediagnostic criteria for autismdon’t outwardly discriminate based on gender. However, research suggests that autism may look quitedifferent in girls, making it difficult to diagnose using existing criteria.This is because participants were boys in most early studies of autistic children.
If You Think Your Child May Be Autistic
Based on the description above, you may feel that your child should be evaluated for autism. If that’s the case:
Don’t be shy about asking for an evaluation if your child is autistic. If your child is otherwise neurodivergent, you can get them the support they need. If your child is simply developing differently, you continue to pay attention to their needs and behaviors.
In short, an evaluation can only help. And, since it’s usually possible to have your child evaluated for free, there’s nothing to lose.
6 Things to Avoid When Raising an Autistic Child
Summary
Traits of autism in children may include delayed or not reaching developmental milestones, speech differences, social communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and behavioral differences.
Early diagnosis is key to early intervention which greatly improves outcomes. If your child shows traits of autism, talk with your child’s pediatrician and/or school district administration about getting an assessment if warranted, referrals, and available resources.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Autism Speaks.Autism statistics and facts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.National Institute of Mental Health.Autism spectrum disorder.Autism Speaks.Sensory issues.National Institutes of Health.When do children usually show symptoms of autism?Australian Parenting Website.Autism: signs in older children and teenagers.Social Security Administration.Apply for disability benefits - child (under age 18).Werling DM, Geschwind DH.Sex differences in autism spectrum disorders.Current Opinion in Neurology.2013 Apr;26(2):146. doi:10.1097%2FWCO.0b013e32835ee548Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for autism spectrum disorder.Additional ReadingAnderson C, Law JK, Daniels A, Rice C, Mandell DS, Hagopian L, Law PA.Occurrence and family impact of elopement in children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2012 Nov;130(5):870-7. doi: 10.1542/peds.2012-0762. Epub 2012 Oct 8.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Autism Speaks.Autism statistics and facts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.National Institute of Mental Health.Autism spectrum disorder.Autism Speaks.Sensory issues.National Institutes of Health.When do children usually show symptoms of autism?Australian Parenting Website.Autism: signs in older children and teenagers.Social Security Administration.Apply for disability benefits - child (under age 18).Werling DM, Geschwind DH.Sex differences in autism spectrum disorders.Current Opinion in Neurology.2013 Apr;26(2):146. doi:10.1097%2FWCO.0b013e32835ee548Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for autism spectrum disorder.Additional ReadingAnderson C, Law JK, Daniels A, Rice C, Mandell DS, Hagopian L, Law PA.Occurrence and family impact of elopement in children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2012 Nov;130(5):870-7. doi: 10.1542/peds.2012-0762. Epub 2012 Oct 8.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Autism Speaks.Autism statistics and facts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.National Institute of Mental Health.Autism spectrum disorder.Autism Speaks.Sensory issues.National Institutes of Health.When do children usually show symptoms of autism?Australian Parenting Website.Autism: signs in older children and teenagers.Social Security Administration.Apply for disability benefits - child (under age 18).Werling DM, Geschwind DH.Sex differences in autism spectrum disorders.Current Opinion in Neurology.2013 Apr;26(2):146. doi:10.1097%2FWCO.0b013e32835ee548Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for autism spectrum disorder.
Autism Speaks.Autism statistics and facts.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.
National Institute of Mental Health.Autism spectrum disorder.
Autism Speaks.Sensory issues.
National Institutes of Health.When do children usually show symptoms of autism?
Australian Parenting Website.Autism: signs in older children and teenagers.
Social Security Administration.Apply for disability benefits - child (under age 18).
Werling DM, Geschwind DH.Sex differences in autism spectrum disorders.Current Opinion in Neurology.2013 Apr;26(2):146. doi:10.1097%2FWCO.0b013e32835ee548
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for autism spectrum disorder.
Anderson C, Law JK, Daniels A, Rice C, Mandell DS, Hagopian L, Law PA.Occurrence and family impact of elopement in children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2012 Nov;130(5):870-7. doi: 10.1542/peds.2012-0762. Epub 2012 Oct 8.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
