Characteristics of ASD

• What are the two main categories of characteristics of ASD?

  Social communication / interaction

  Repetitive behaviours / restricted interests
• Social communication / interaction

  Social-emotional reciprocity (struggle to maintain & respond appropriately to conversation).

  Difficulty with non-verbal communication.

  Difficulty maintaining & developing relationships.
• Repetitive behaviours / restricted interests

  Echolalia - repeating what they have just heard.

  Formal language.

  Repetitive hand gestures, spinning, rocking, using objects in the same way (lining up toys).

  Strict routines , resistant to change.

  Fixed interests.

  Aversive to touch, distress at loud noise.