Children with autism are often sensitive to sensory input like bright lights, loud noises, certain textures (clothing, food), strong smells, and tastes, leading to overstimulation (hypersensitivity) or under-stimulation (hyposensitivity). They can also be sensitive to social cues, changes in routine, unexpected events, and emotional situations, which can trigger meltdowns or shutdowns.
Many autistic people experience hypersensitivity to bright lights or certain light wavelengths (e.g., LED or fluorescent lights). Certain sounds, smells, textures and tastes can also be overwhelming. This can result in sensory avoidance – trying to get away from stimuli that most people can easily tune out.
find it hard to communicate and interact with other people. find it hard to understand how other people think or feel. find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable. get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events.
People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.
Autism Special Needs Checklist: Big Kids (Ages 6–12)
Pretend play can be one of the most enjoyable and beneficial social skills games for autism because, through these activities, autistic children can learn to understand different perspectives, interpret social cues, and express their creativity.
Around 90% of autism cases are attributed to genetic factors, meaning autism is highly heritable, with many different genes contributing, rather than a single cause, often interacting with environmental influences during early brain development, though specific environmental factors don't cause it but can increase risk. Twin studies show strong genetic links, with concordance rates between 60-90% in identical twins, and research points to complex interactions of many genes and prenatal/perinatal factors.
Without meaningful gestures or other nonverbal skills to enhance their oral language skills, many children with ASD become frustrated in their attempts to make their feelings, thoughts, and needs known. They may act out their frustrations through vocal outbursts or other inappropriate behaviors.
Five key signs of autism (ASD) involve difficulties with social communication, repetitive behaviors, intense interests, sensory sensitivities, and strict routines, such as trouble with small talk/eye contact, hand-flapping/lining things up, deep focus on specific topics, sensitivity to sounds/lights, and distress over schedule changes, though these vary widely.
In general, people who have an active lifestyle are much more emotionally resilient and focused. There also seems to be some evidence that physical exercise helps people with depression and ADHD, which are commonly co-occurring conditions with autism.
Because people with autism spectrum disorder often have a hard time interacting socially, communicating or behaving, this can lead to problems with:
Meltdowns can be expressed verbally (eg, shouting, growling, or crying), physically (eg, kicking or flapping) or a mixture of both ways. An autistic person will lose control of their behaviour because they are completely overwhelmed and are unable to express themselves another way.
Examples of areas where children with autism can exhibit strengths
The "6-second rule" for autism is a communication strategy where a speaker pauses for about six seconds after asking a question or giving information, giving the autistic person extra time to process it without feeling rushed, which helps reduce anxiety and allows for a more thoughtful response, reducing frustration for both parties. Instead of repeating or rephrasing, which can be confusing, you wait, and if needed, repeat the exact same words after the pause.
Some autistic adults are extremely attuned to emotional cues. They might pick up subtle changes in tone or mood that others miss, sometimes even absorbing others' negative feelings. This deep empathy can be a strength (leading to strong compassion) but also a challenge if it becomes overwhelming.
Understanding the 6 stages of an autism meltdown can help parents, caregivers, and educators respond with empathy and support.
People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. It is important to note that some people without ASD might also have some of these symptoms.
Top 10 Calming Strategies for Autism
Research tells us that autism tends to run in families, and a meta-analysis of 7 twin studies claim that 60 to 90% of the risk of autism comes from your genome. If you have a child with autism, you are more likely to have another autistic child. Your other family members are also more likely to have a child with ASD.
Social Challenges
Social challenges can also be a source of stress and the cause of behavioral issues for autistic children, since they may have difficulty understanding subtle social cues, micro-expressions, and emotions, as well as any form of nonverbal communication.
Seven key signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often involve challenges with social communication (like avoiding eye contact, not responding to names), restricted/repetitive behaviors (like repetitive movements or strict routines), sensory sensitivities (unusual reactions to sounds, lights, textures), and difficulties with emotional understanding or verbal expression, though signs vary greatly and appear differently across ages. Key indicators include limited gestures, delayed speech, intense focus on specific objects, difficulty with pretend play, and strong distress when routines change.
A: Autistic children are often happiest when they feel safe, understood, and free to engage in their special interests. Supportive relationships and low-stress environments also contribute to their emotional well-being.
While the exact reasons are not yet clear, changes in how the disorder is defined, increases in screening, and more awareness certainly contribute to this increase. If you have any concerns about your child's development, speak to a healthcare professional about diagnostic tests.
Additionally, inherited genetic variations contribute greatly. Research shows that both mothers and fathers can carry autism-related gene variants. Some of these are common variants that increase the risk of autism, while others are rare mutations causing more severe effects.
Donald Triplett, autism's 'Case 1,' dies at 89. Triplett gained media attention for his autism later in life, and he became the face of the effort to research the lives of older adults with autism.