What are the signs of autism?
Autism is defined by differences in communication, social interaction, and behaviour. Identifying these characteristics early is key to ensuring timely diagnosis and effective support. This guide highlights common signs of autism in both children and adults, helping you recognise traits and access the right support if needed.
Table of contents
- Social interaction
- Communication
- Rigid behaviours
- Sensory differences
- Autism signs at different ages
- Talk to us
Social interaction
Many autistic people struggle with social interaction. This is when someone finds it difficult to build and maintain friendships, work in teams, and know how to manage social situations. Difficulties may include:
- limited ways of responding socially
- finding it hard to hold conversations
- making social blunders
- coming across as unconcerned for others
- finding it hard to make or maintain friendships
Difficulties with social interaction tend to continue into adulthood. However, many autistic people can learn strategies that help them through uncomfortable social situations.
Communication
Difficulty understanding and translating body language, metaphors, and sarcasm can all be signs of autism. Common difficulties include:
- trouble engaging in social conversation naturally
- avoiding social situations altogether
- unusual use of gaze, facial expression and gesture. This differs from the persistent avoidance of gaze seen in shyness or depression.
- difficulties with the non-verbal aspects of speech
- understanding another person's opinion or point of view
Therapeutic support in the form of coaching, psychology or psychotherapy can help autistic people develop skills that enable them to work more confidently in teams or build relationships.
Rigid behaviours
A characteristic common in autism is ‘restricted, repetitive’ behaviour. This can include:
- highly intense and specific interests
- repetitive movements, such as finger tapping or hand flapping
- a strong preference for a set routine or way of doing things
- significant discomfort if routines are disrupted
Restricted interests or activities can also manifest as:
- hobbies or interests that are unusual in their intensity or content
- activities that absorb a large amount of time, often lacking a social aspect
- at their most extreme, the world of an autistic person might narrow to a singular focus (for example, railway timetables or a TV programme), excluding other interests
While these interests may seem eccentric to others, they are key to the autistic person’s well-being and happiness.
Sensory differences
Often autistic individuals experience differences in how they experience sensory stimuli. Some may experience ‘hypersensitivity’ (heightened sensitivity) when it comes to certain senses, for example, noises in the environment that others fail to notice may appear excessively loud. Others may experience ‘hyposensitivity’ (reduced sensitivity) to certain stimuli, causing them to seek intense sensory experiences such as through touch or through movement.
The impact of these sensory differences can impact on an individual's ability to self-regulate and they may have intense reactions to seemingly innocuous stimuli. They may also appear distracted or display behaviour's that may appear unusual.
Autism signs at different ages
Autism can manifest in many ways across the lifespan, below are some examples of what clinicians may look at, at different stages in life.
Children
- Delayed speech and language skills
- Limited eye contact or difficulty maintaining it
- Preference for solitary play or difficulty in engaging with peers
- Repetitive movements, such as hand-flapping or rocking
- Strong adherence to routines and distress over changes
- Sensitivity to sensory inputs, like loud noises or bright lights
Teenagers
- Difficulty understanding social cues and body language
- Challenges in forming and maintaining friendships
- Intense focus on specific interests or hobbies
- Struggles with changes in routine and transitions
- Anxiety or depression, often linked to social challenges
- Issues with executive functions, such as planning and organisation
Adults
- Difficulty with social interactions and making new friends
- Preference for routine and discomfort with unexpected changes
- Intense, focused interests that may seem unusual to others
- Sensory sensitivities, such as aversion to certain textures or sounds
- Challenges with employment, particularly in social or unpredictable environments
- Mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, often stemming from social difficulties
Talk to us
If you would like to learn about autism and discuss assessment options, you can contact us or request a free confidential call back from one of our trained assistant psychologists.
Clinically reviewed
- Leanne Cooper-Brown