Symptoms of autism

CATHARINA HARTMAN: Let’s start by explaining the symptoms of autism. People with autism have difficulties in social interaction and social communication. You mentioned it before, they find social situations difficult, they’re not good at social interaction. The second symptom is repeating certain things, like activities or hobbies, or movements. These are so important for people with autism that they do it all the time or talk about it all the time. Later we will show you some videos that explain these symptoms better. Both problems in social interaction and repetitive behaviour have to be present for a diagnosis of autism. One of these two is not enough. Furthermore, the problems have to be present from early childhood on.

And finally, you have to have impairments by your symptoms. For example, because you can’t function at school or in social relations.