Autism, which affects thought, perception and attention, is not just one disorder with a well defined set of symptoms; autism is a broad spectrum of disorders that ranges from mild to severe. In addition, the behavior usually occurs across many different situations and is consistently inappropriate for their age.
In the diagnostic manual used to classify disabilities, the DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994), “autistic disorder” is listed as a category under the heading of “Pervasive Developmental Disorders.” A diagnosis of autistic disorder is made when an individual displays 6 or more of 12 symptoms listed across three major areas: social interaction, communication, and behavior. When children display similar behaviors but do not meet the criteria for autistic disorder, they may receive a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder-NOS (PDD not otherwise specified).
- Sustained odd play.
- Uneven gross/ fine motor skills.
- Not responsive to verbal cues acts as deaf.
- Little or no eye contact. Insistence on sameness; resist changes in routine.
- Noticeable physical over activity or extreme under activity.
- Tantrums; displays extreme distress for no apparent reason.
Abnormal ways of relating to people, objects and events. (Inappropriate attachment to objects; don't seek cuddling )
Spins objects.
An aspect of language that tends to be disturbed in autistic people has to do with knowing how to use language appropriately and in context. That includes knowing how to hold a conversation, thinking about what the other person in a conversation understands and believes, and tuning in to the meta - linguistic signals of the other person, such as facial expression, tone of voice and body language. It is important to remember that communication is as much nonverbal as it is verbal, and autistic people have great difficulty understanding nonverbal language.
The above information thankfully comes from the autism-pdd.net at the following link.