AUTISTIC DISORDER

Predominant features include markedly abnormal or impaired development in social interaction and communication. The impairment in reciprocal social interaction and communication skills is gross and sustained (APA, 2000).
Autistic disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder that usually appears during the first three years of life. A child with autism appears to live in their own world, showing little interest in others and a lack of social awareness.
This disorder recognized before the age of 3. What is the most notable is the restrictive, repetitive and stereotypic patterns of behavior, interests, and activities.
The prognosis is generally poor. Few can live and work independently; approximately 33% can achieve partial independence.

Presenting Signs and Symptoms:

Impairment in SOCIAL INTERACTIONS:

• Lack of responsiveness to and interest in others
• Lack of eye-to-eye contact and facial responses.
• Indifference to or aversion to affection and physical contact
• Failure to cuddle or be comforted.
• Lack of seeking or sharing enjoyment, interest or achievement with others
• Failure to develop cooperative play or imaginative play with peers.
• Lack of friendships 

Impairment in COMMUNICATION AND IMAGINATIVE ACTIVITY:

• Language delay or total absence of language
• Immature grammatic structure; pronoun reversal; inability to name objects
• Stereotyped or repetitive use of language (echolalia, idiosyncratic words, inappropriate high-pitched squealling or giggling, repetitive phrases, sing-song speech quality)
• Lack of spontaneous make-believe play or imaginative play
• Failure to initiate.

MARKEDLY RESTRICTED, STEREOTYPED PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR, INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES

• Rigid adherence to routines and rituals with catastrophic reactions to minor changes in them or changes made in the environment (moving furniture)
• Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (hand/finger flapping, clapping, rocking, dipping, swaying, spinning, dancing around and walking on toes, head banging or hand biting).
• Preoccupation with certain objects (buttons, part of the body, wheels on toys) that is abnormal in intensity or focus.
• Preoccupation with certain repetitive activities (pouring water or sand, spinning wheels on toys, twirling string) that is abnormal in intensity or focus.