Parents having pre/schoolers with autism is concerned with lots of issues like,
Social/Emotional Concerns
- Poor at initiating and/or sustaining activities and friendships with peers
- Play/free-time is more isolated, rigid and/or repetitive, less interactive
- Atypical interests and behaviours compared to peers
- Unaware of social conventions or codes of conduct (e.g., seems unaware of how comments or actions could offend others)
- Excessive anxiety, fears or depression
- Atypical emotional expression (emotion, such as distress or affection, is significantly more or less than appears appropriate for the situation)
Communication Concerns
- Unusual tone of voice or speech (seems to have an accent or monotone, speech is overly formal)
- Overly literal interpretation of comments (confused by sarcasm or phrases such as “pull up your socks” or “looks can kill”)
- Atypical conversations (one-sided, on their focus of interest or on repetitive/unusual topics)
- Poor nonverbal communication skills (eye contact, gestures etc.)
Behavioural Concerns
- Excessive fascination/perseveration with a particular topic, interest or object
- Unduly upset by changes in routines or expectations
- Tendency to flap or rock when excited or distressed
- Unusual sensory responses (reactions to sound, touch, textures, pain tolerance, etc.)
- History of behavioural concerns (inattention, hyperactivity, aggression, anxiety, selective mute)
- Poor fine and/or gross motor skills or coordination
