These signs and symptoms are helpful in alerting professionals and parents about the possibility of ASD. They are not meant to be diagnostic or comprehensive.
| Pre-school children (up to 5 years) | School age children (5- 11 years) | |
| Language and communication | · Poor or no response to name
· Delayed language development · Frequent repetition of set words and phrases · Reduced use of language for communicating with others |
· Limited and/or odd use of language for communicating with others e.g. talking at others mainly about topics of own interest
· Frequent use of “learnt” phrases · Monotonous speech · Reduced response to others and poor conversations |
| Social interaction | · Reduced or absent social interest in others
· Playing alone · Reduced or absent social interactions or play with others · Reduced or absent use of eye contact for communication · Reduced or absent use of pointing to show objects or share interests · Limited or absent pretend play |
· Reduced or absent social interest in others including children of own age
· Poor awareness of expected social behaviour and of personal space · Preferring to play or spend time alone; reduced sharing of interest or fun with others · Reduced or absent use of eye contact for communication · Reduced or absent use of pointing to show objects or share interests · Limited or absent flexible imaginative play or creativity |
| Repetitive and restricted behaviours | · Over-focused or unusual interests
· Repetitive “stereotypical‟ movements such as hand flapping, body rocking while standing, spinning, finger flicking · Repetitive acts, e.g. opening and closing doors or flicking light switches on/off · Over or under reaction to sensory stimuli, for example textures, sounds, smells · Insistence on following same routines |
· Over-focused or unusual interests
· Repetitive “stereotypical‟ movements such as hand flapping, body rocking while standing, spinning, finger flicking · Strong insistence on following same routines or own agenda · Dislike for change, which leads to anxiety and distress · Over or under reaction to sensory stimuli, for example textures, sounds, smells |
Screening<PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE>Differential diagnosis and co-existing conditions