Health Tip: Autism Affects Children in Different Ways

(HealthDay News) -- Autism is a disorder that affects the social behaviors of a child, including the way he speaks, communicates, thinks and acts around others.

While autism can manifest itself in many different ways, autistic children share common traits. Here''s a list of typical behaviors, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation:

• Difficulty communicating -- including developmentally delayed speech, repetition of words, or speaking in a monotone voice that lacks inflection or rhythm.
• Poor social skills, or difficulty interacting with others.
• Repetitive speech, behavior, or interests.
• Unusual actions, like flapping the hands or spinning.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: March 02, 2007

Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.