Signs of Autism

What are the main signs of Autism?
According to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition), some important signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) include:

1. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by:
– Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity
– Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction
– Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships

2. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following:
– Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech
– Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior
– Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus
– Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment

These signs must be present in early childhood, but may not fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities or may be masked by learned strategies in later life. It is important to note that the presentation of ASD can vary widely among individuals, and not all individuals with ASD will exhibit all of these signs.