Key Features of Autism

The key features of autism are social interaction difficulties, challenges in understanding and responding to social cues, difficulty in developing and maintaining relationships, limited use of eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures. Communication difficulties, delayed language, development or lack of speech, difficulty in initiating or sustaining conversations, repetitive or rigid use of language. Repetitive behaviors and restricted interests, repetitive movements such as hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning, strict adherence to routines and resistance to change, intense focus on specific interests or topics. Sensory sensitivities, unusual responses to sensory input, such as over-or under-sensitivity to sounds, lights, textures, or tastes.