By learning the signs of autism, a child can begin profiting from a specialized intervention program. The symptoms of autism vary widely in their acuteness. Common symptoms include the following:
• Inability to communicate normally
• Fixation on inanimate objects
• Social interaction impairment
• Resistance to changes in daily routine
• Repetition of words or phrases
• Insensitivity to pain
• Lack of eye contact
• Inability to verbally articulate needs
• Unmotivated tantrums
Behaviors of autism may change over the course of time. Autistic children may even appear to have mental retardation, hearing problems, behavior disorders, or even eccentric behavior. These conditions can even occur alongside of autism.