Autism: External descriptive diagnostic features
Isolation child seems alone, detached and
withdrawn
Sensation may use peripheral vision and/or
appear deaf because tuned into
distant events instead of what is
happening nearby seem to wrap
themselves into their own
skin/ body sensations
Movement may be on the move all the time:
running, climbing, jumping, ...
stereotypical use of body
movements: flapping, rocking,
twirling, spinning,... or grinding
teeth, blinking, grimacing...
Excitements can get wildly excited in a bodily
way, similar to thrills, fits,
seizures or orgasms
Language speech is often delayed and may
not develop
difficulties with non-verbal
communication
difficulties with creative and
meaningful use of language
lack of symbol formation, therefore
also
Play lack of symbolic and imaginative
play not purposeful activity but
often more a fiddling with
objects using toys/ objects not
as their intended functions
Rituals usually to maintain self-control,
which includes trying to keep
the environment from changing
may seem bizarre and may be
clung to with great tenacity
Sleep sleeping difficulties are common
Eating eating difficulties are also common
Other often don’t seem to care about
their possessions
can get very upset about things
being broken or incomplete
panic after a slight change but be
indifferent to big changes
seem overly independent, content to be left alone for
hours, often already as infants
References: Kanner (1943), Rimland (1964), Rutter (1976, 1979), Frith (1989), Victor (1986), Hocking (1990), Tustin (1990), Alvarez (1992), Hobson (1993), Dzikowski (1993), et al.
Bottom photo from the book "George and Sam" (paperback) by Charlotte Moore; this is available for sale from www.amazon.co.uk
Email: info@reachingautism.org
Isolation child seems alone, detached and
withdrawn
Sensation may use peripheral vision and/or
appear deaf because tuned into
distant events instead of what is
happening nearby seem to wrap
themselves into their own
skin/ body sensations
Movement may be on the move all the time:
running, climbing, jumping, ...
stereotypical use of body
movements: flapping, rocking,
twirling, spinning,... or grinding
teeth, blinking, grimacing...
Excitements can get wildly excited in a bodily
way, similar to thrills, fits,
seizures or orgasms
Language speech is often delayed and may
not develop
difficulties with non-verbal
communication
difficulties with creative and
meaningful use of language
lack of symbol formation, therefore
also
Play lack of symbolic and imaginative
play not purposeful activity but
often more a fiddling with
objects using toys/ objects not
as their intended functions
Rituals usually to maintain self-control,
which includes trying to keep
the environment from changing
may seem bizarre and may be
clung to with great tenacity
Sleep sleeping difficulties are common
Eating eating difficulties are also common
Other often don’t seem to care about
their possessions
can get very upset about things
being broken or incomplete
panic after a slight change but be
indifferent to big changes
seem overly independent, content to be left alone for
hours, often already as infants
References: Kanner (1943), Rimland (1964), Rutter (1976, 1979), Frith (1989), Victor (1986), Hocking (1990), Tustin (1990), Alvarez (1992), Hobson (1993), Dzikowski (1993), et al.
Bottom photo from the book "George and Sam" (paperback) by Charlotte Moore; this is available for sale from www.amazon.co.uk
Email: info@reachingautism.org
)
)
)
