Autism can be diagnosed within the first three years of life. It is four times more common in boys than in girls. However, certain presentations of autism may not be diagnosed until a child enters primary school, where the main presenting issues may involve difficulty with social interaction and anxiety.
To be given a diagnosis of autism, a person must present with a ‘triad’ of clinical characteristics in the following areas (referencing the criteria in DSM-IV-TR):
- Social Impairment (Social Interaction)
- Communication Impairment (Social Communication)
- Impairment In Flexibility Of Thinking (Flexibility & Imagination)
In addition to the triad of behaviours that characterises autism, other reasons for behaviours commonly associated with the condition are:
- Cognitive Learning Style
- Sensory
- Medical
- Special Interests
- Likes and Dislikes