Characteristics of ASD

Dan Jacobson
Characteristics of ASD

● Cognitive & Neurological

● Behavioral & Sensory
● Communication & Language
● Social
Cognitive & Neurological

● Neuro-developmental disorder
○ Developmental delays in hitting milestones at young age
● Can range from significant cognitive impairments to above-average
cognitive abilities
● Ability to learn impacted
Behavior & Sensory
● Restricted and repetitive
behaviors
○ rocking, flapping, etc.
● Ritualistic Behaviors
○ Order of certain behaviors, lining up
objects, etc.
● Narrow interests or
obsessive/extreme interests on
certain topics
● Need specific routines
○ Same schedule/ meals/ etc.
● Can present abnormalities in
sensory output
○ indifference/insensitivity to pain,
temperature, smells, and/or textures
● 3 types of sensitivity
○ Hypersensitivity = Overreactive
○ Hyposensitivity = Undereactve
○ Mixed reactivity
○ Sounds, lights, touches, tastes, smells,
pain, etc.
Communication & Language

● Potential language delays

○ Often early sign
○ Large variation across the ASD spectrum
● Repetitive tendencies in speech (ie body motions, specific phrases, etc.
● Often display abnormal facial expressions, gestures and other nonverbal
communication
● Difficulty initiating and/or continuing a conversation
Social

● Individuals with ASD have a hard time with “back and forth” conversation
(taking turns in conversation)
● Often avoid eye contact
● Difficulty with empathy - understanding others and recognizing their
emotions
● Difficulty recognizing one’s own emotions and expressing those emotions
(social/emotional reciprocity)
● Difficulty gauging appropriate personal space