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Symptoms of Autism

Autistic people usually seem withdrawn and self-absorbed. They are often unable to communicate by normal speech. They show stereotyped behaviour patterns, repeating the same activity over and over again and absorbing all their attention. Many are to some degree learning-disabled although the prevalence of this is less than was once thought.

Autistic children may also be interested in objects but not in people and often unable to communicate by normal speech. They may show rage if their repetitive activities are interrupted. There is distinct failure to share moods of any kind, whether happy or sad, with an apparent indifference to the emotions of others. Eye contact is avoided.

Children with autism are often fascinated with mechanical objects and will play with them endlessly. They will respond in a stereotyped and unchanging way to social stimuli and show strong resistance to any attempt to change their immediate environment. Some autistic children show, at an unusually early age, exceptional abilities in music, graphic art or arithmetic.

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