Stereotyped behaviors in children with autism

In fact, some parents are unable to identify when their children have autism, because the disease does not have obvious symptoms at the beginning. They just feel that their children are not so talkative and are quieter than other children. They may even find that their children have some language development disorders. This is actually the most common symptom of autism.

1. Language Barrier

Language and communication disorders are important symptoms of autism and the main reason why most children seek medical treatment. Language and communication disorders can manifest in many forms. Most children with autism have delayed or impaired language development. They usually still cannot speak at the ages of two and three, or they experience language regression after normal language development. They have expressive language before the age of 2 to 3 years, which gradually decreases with age or is even lost completely. They remain silent for life or, in rare cases, use limited language. They have some degree of obstacles in their perception and expression of language.

2. Social interaction disorder

The patient is unable to establish normal interpersonal relationships with others. When they are young, they do not make eye contact with others, have a dull expression, lack the expression or gesture of expecting hugs and caresses from their parents or others, and have no happy expression when enjoying caresses, and even reject hugs and caresses from their parents and others.

He cannot distinguish between close and distant relationships and treats his relatives with the same attitude as he treats other people. Unable to establish a normal attachment relationship with parents, patients have difficulty establishing normal partnerships with children of the same age. For example, they tend to stay alone in kindergarten and do not like to play with their peers. When they see some children playing games enthusiastically together, they have no interest in watching or desire to participate.

3. Narrow interests and stereotyped behavior patterns

The patient is not interested in the games and toys that normal children are keen on, but likes to play with non-toy objects, such as a bottle cap, or observe the rotating electric fan, etc., and can last for dozens of minutes or even several hours without feeling bored. Not interested in the main features of the toy

However, they pay great attention to non-main features: patients stubbornly require to keep the daily activity routine unchanged, such as going to bed at the same time, covering the same quilt, taking the same route when going out, etc. If these activities are stopped or behavioral patterns are changed, the patient will express obvious unhappiness and anxiety, and even engage in rebellious behavior. Patients may have repetitive stereotyped movements, such as clapping their hands, turning in circles, licking the wall with their tongue, stomping their feet, etc.