Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism is a developmental disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life.  Autism is defined by symptoms that appear before the age of three which reflect delayed or abnormal development in language, social skills and behavior.  Autistic disorder symptoms can manifest in various ways.

• Impaired social interaction including; inappropriate eye contact, facial expression, body posture and gestures
• Difficultly making and maintaining friendships that are appropriate to their developmental level
• Inability to reciprocate emotions  
• Delayed or absent development of spoken language.  In children who can speak, there are inadequate attempts to begin or sustain a conversation 
• Repetitive speech or phrases
• Preoccupation with interests such as; spinning, counting, lining up
• Rigidly sticks to routines or rituals that do not have a purpose