What Are the Symptoms of Autism?

What are the symptoms of autism?

Autism is a difference in how a person communicates, takes in the world and relates to others. The word symptoms is used in diagnostic guides, but some autistic people prefer to talk about traits and features.

The two areas in the DSM-5-TR criteria are the starting point for assessment (Raising Children Network).

Signs and symptoms of autism in the two areas

These traits of autism are examples only, and one person will usually show some but not all of them.

• Social autism is a search term, not a separate diagnosis; social communication differences are one of the two areas in the criteria.
• Autism features and symptoms of ASD can look different at home, school or work, so notes from each setting can be useful to share with a clinician.
• The Australian ADHD Guideline found children and adolescents with autism have a significantly higher risk of ADHD (high-risk groups); read about ADHD traits if the two overlap for you.

Early signs of autism in babies and toddlers

Early signs of autism usually become noticeable during the first 1-2 years of life (Raising Children Network).

• Autistic toddlers might not, or only sometimes, respond to their name when called.
• They might not use gestures such as waving.
• They might use eye contact less often to share interest with a parent or carer.
• Read signs of autism in babies and signs of autism in toddlers for age-by-age detail.
• Read speech delay or autism if your child is talking later than expected.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Symptoms of autism by age and gender

Autism can look different at different ages, so these guides take each group in turn.

• Signs of autism in children covers play, friendships, routines and school.
• Autism in boys looks at common patterns, including at age 4.
• Autism in girls looks at signs in girls.
• Autism in teenagers covers social pressure, school change and identity.
• Signs of autism in adults explains what late recognition can look like.
• Autism in women looks at signs in women.
• Autism in men looks at signs that show up in work and relationships.

Autism symptoms checklist and autism spectrum disorder checklist

A checklist can help you gather your thoughts before an appointment, but it cannot diagnose anyone; only a qualified professional can assess this.

• Do conversations, eye contact or reading other people’s feelings feel different from how others seem to manage them?
• Do you or your child rely on routines and feel distressed when they change?
• Are there intense interests that take up much of your time and attention?
• Do sounds, lights, textures or crowds feel overwhelming or hard to ignore?
• Have these differences been present since early life, even if they were not noticed?

1. 1Write down examples. Note what you see at home, school or work and when it started.
2. 2Book a GP or paediatrician visit. Bring your notes, reports from teachers and any developmental records.
3. 3Ask about an assessment. Ask your GP or paediatrician how to arrange a proper autism assessment.
4. 4Call Autism Connect for guidance. The free helpline on 1300 308 699 (Amaze) is open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday.
5. 5Keep your report. You may be asked for it when you look for support, including from the NDIS.

Read what autism is for the full definition before you begin.

ASD behaviour, meltdowns and stimming

These guides look at ASD behaviour that people often ask about.

• Autism meltdowns explains what a meltdown is and how it differs from a tantrum.
• Autism stimming covers repetitive movements and sounds.
• Hand flapping looks at hand flapping and when to talk to a GP.
• Autism sensory issues explains sensory sensitivities and sensory overload.
• Autism and empathy looks at theory of mind and empathy.
• Wandering and elopement covers safety when someone leaves a safe place.
• Autism and sleep looks at sleep and bedtime routines.

Autism and argumentative behaviour

• Arguing on its own cannot tell you whether someone is autistic.
• Notes about when disagreements happen and what came before them can be useful to share with a clinician.
• Talk to your GP if arguments are frequent or distressing for anyone involved.

Masking, burnout and autism features people miss

Some autistic people hide their differences to fit in.

• Autism masking explains masking, also called camouflaging.
• Autism burnout explains what autistic people mean by burnout and where to get support.
• Autism and facial features looks at questions about autism and appearance.

Level 2 autism symptoms

• Level 2 is a support level that can be recorded in an autism diagnosis; read different levels of autism for what each level means.
• If a report gives a level, ask the clinician to explain what it means day to day.
• Describe daily tasks you need help with, rather than relying on the level alone.

Autism recovery signs

• Autism is a difference, not an illness to recover from, so it helps to think about goals rather than recovery.
• Goals might include more comfort, new skills or stronger friendships, agreed with the autistic person.
• Ask your therapist how they measure goals, and read autism therapy options.

Symptoms of autism and the NDIS

If you meet the NDIS access requirements, the NDIS may fund supports. A list of traits on its own is not an NDIS application.

• Keep copies of reports from your clinician, school and therapists.
• Write down the help you need with routines, appointments and getting out, so you can explain it clearly.
• Read our guide to autism funding under the NDIS before you apply.
• Browse TQN Care NDIS services to see support at home and in the community.

When to talk to a GP or specialist

You do not need to wait for a crisis to ask for help.

• Your baby or toddler is not responding to their name, using gestures or sharing attention, or has lost skills they had.
• A child, teenager or adult has long-standing differences in communication, routine or sensory responses affecting daily life.
• Meltdowns, shutdowns, sleep problems or self-injury are becoming more frequent or unsafe.
• Anxiety, low mood or exhaustion is getting worse; call Lifeline on 13 11 14 if you or someone you support needs to talk now.
• You are a carer who feels overwhelmed or close to carer burnout; talk to your GP, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 if you need to talk now.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Your next step

After an assessment, you can look at what daily support would help at home and in the community. At TQN Care, we provide support workers for personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). See our NDIS services, or make a referral and we will call you back.