Diagnostic Characteristics of Autism

Poor social reciprocity or poor social skills (inability/unwillingness to play with others; no eye contact; hyperactivity);
Poor communication skills, often non-verbal or with limited speech;
Repetitive or restricted interests or behaviours with lack of imaginative play (flapping of hands, swirling/rocking of body, fascination with rotating object)

Symptoms of Autism

Stand-offish manner or indifference to others	Inappropriate laughing or giggling	Echolalia-copies words like a parrot
No fear of real dangers	Apparent insensibility to pain	Crying tantrums - extreme distress for no discernible reason
Adverse to cuddling	Sustained odd play	Difficulty mixing with other children
Indicates needs by gesture or by using an adult's hand	Acts as deaf or can be extremely sensitive to certain sounds	Unusual or no eye contact
Resists normal teaching methods	Spins objects	Inappropriate attachments to objects
Uneven gross/fine motor skills	Resists change in routine	marked physical overactivity or extreme passivity