Children with Developmental Challenges

Children With Developmental Challenges 3(2+1)

Lesson 24 : Pervasive Developmental Disorders or Autism Spectrum Disorders

Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Each of the disorders on the autism spectrum is a neurological disorder that affects a child’s ability to communicate, understand language, play, and relate to others. They share some or all of the following characteristics, which can vary from mild to severe:

• Communication problems (for example, with the use or comprehension of language);
• Difficulty relating to people, things, and events;
• Playing with toys and objects in unusual ways;
• Difficulty adjusting to changes in routine or to familiar surroundings; and
• Repetititive body movements or behaviors.

These characteristics are typically evident before the age of three.