Loss of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills

Avoidance of eye contact

Persistent preference for solitude

Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings

Delayed language development

Persistent repetition of words or phrases (echolalia)

Resistance to minor changes in routine or surroundings

Restricted interests

Repetitive behaviors (flapping, rocking, spinning, etc.)

Unusual and intense reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, textures, lights and/or colors

Many people with autism show certain behaviors when they are experiencing a sensory issue:

Increased movement, such as jumping, spinning or crashing into things

Increased stimming, such as hand flapping, making repetitive noises or rocking back and forth

Talking faster and louder, or not talking at all

Covering ears or eyes

Difficulty recognizing internal sensations like hunger, pain or the need to use the bathroom

Refusing or insisting on certain foods or clothing items

Frequent chewing on non-food items

Frequent touching of others or playing rough

Difficulty communicating or responding as the brain shifts resources to deal with sensory input (shutdown)

Escalating, overwhelming emotions or need to escape a situation (meltdown)