Four year olds display self-confidence, try new adventures and race around excitedly, states the National Network for Child Care. However, an autistic four year old might not do these things. Autism, part of a spectrum of disorders called autism spectrum disorders (ASD), causes developmental delays and social skills deficits. Autism affects 1 in 110 people in America, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Social
Symptoms of autism in a four year old may center on poor social skills. Regularly developing a four year old enjoys other children; take turns fairly well and follows simple rules. Children unwilling or unable to participate socially may show signs of autism. Withdrawal and lack of interest in others actions may also be symptoms of autism. An average child seeks adult approval whereas children with autism may exhibit no interest in approval from others. Among family and friends, social interactions often include physical contact, putting an arm around a friend, getting a hug from mom or holding hands with another four year old. For some children, a lack of giving and receiving physical affection may be a symptom of autism.
Communication
Lack of communication or communication delays may by signs of autism. Language skills for a regularly-developing a four year old include singing, asking questions, speaking in complex sentences and asking who, what, where, why and when questions. Some or all of these skills may become compromised in children with autism. In addition to delayed verbal skills, autism symptoms include poor non-verbal skills such as eye contact, gesturing and facial expressions. In addition, the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that children who do not adjust their gaze to look at objects that others look at present another possible symptom of autism.
Behavioral
An autistic four year old may display unusual, often repetitive, behaviors such as rocking back and forth, twirling of fingers, flapping the arms and spinning around in circles. Different from an often-curious four year old, a child with autism might show alarm or frustration at changes in schedules and routines. An average four year old might change the rules of the game in the middle of an activity. An autistic preschooler might suffer an emotional meltdown if someone suggested or encouraged rule changes. Another possible symptom of autism includes an intensity regarding changes in paths. For example, upon taking a new route to school, an average child might show curiosity about the new route. A child with symptoms of autism might become enraged at the change in route.
About this Author
Susan Ward, M.A., writes about family, parenting, and children’s mental health issues for multiple publications. She has been published in various special interest publications, both in print and online, in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the U.K. since 1989. She’s also authored two books and numerous booklets.
