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Your child might resist eye contact. There’s strong support for getting your child or teen an autism diagnosis. Symptoms of autism in girls Some symptoms of autism include repetitive behaviors, difficulty with impulse control, and a tendency to avoid eye contact. It’s a part of your teen’s personality and selfhood. In addition to the usual teenage ups and downs, teens with autism may experience some of these additional challenges: Emotional immaturity that manifests itself in childish interests or emotional responses that would be expected in a much younger child High levels of anxiety, especially when faced with unexpected demands or changes in routine Whether you're a parent or a high-school teacher, chances are, you may have noticed some "abnormalities" in a teenager. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Many of the symptoms of autism are not age-specific, but there are some signs that appear or become more noticeable during the teen years. If the teen communicates primarily verbally, and only has infrequent cases of communicating nonverbally (for example, during shutdowns), it may be possible to figure out what stims show the teen's needs. Are they often a target for bullying or manipulation, and never seem to realize what's going on until it's too late? Autism treatment in children has many different, complementary approaches that focus on helping the child learn to strengthen their language, … I get angry over the smallest things, I get overwhelmed easily, I am very quiet and I learned to read when I was 1 1/2. Some people diagnosed with autism may show only “mild” forms of these signs. Find out what the main signs of autism are and if you should get advice. If I only have a few very close friends, am I considered autistic? Add a bunch of hormones, quick growth and the increased academic demands, and it can be a testing time. Helping your teen learn certain life skills or behaviors they may have difficulty mastering can also be a form of support. Sometimes wearing "guy's" clothes can be a sign of. For example, autistic girls may be quieter, may hide their feelings and may appear to cope better with social situations. Am I autistic? Make sure your teen gets. It can be helpful to remember that a late-diagnosed teen was still autistic before their diagnosis; they are the same person they were before you knew they were autistic. Verbal signs of autism in a teen might include: Not knowing how to engage in a two-way conversation; Usually talking about a single topic without allowing the other person to talk or respond Only wanting to talk about a single topic and not wanting to talk about things that do not interest him/her Consistency in maintaining a positive, accepting environment can be an enormous influence on the direction of their lives well past the teen years. Besides this apparent bias, there’s also a strong likelihood that girls with autism present autistic characteristics in ways that are different – and subtler – than what are seen in boys. If those are the only things you notice, it is unlikely. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Instead, encourage your teen to talk to loved ones, friends or a counselor about problems he or she might be facing. I am 12 years old and people think I am autistic. By using our site, you agree to our. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a name used to describe a wide range of neurodevelopmental conditions that can be observed through certain behaviors, communication techniques, and styles of social interactions. They don’t need to be fixed. 2 … Watch for signs of alexithymia in the teen. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Sachs specializes in treating ADD/ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders in children, teens, and adults. Becomes obsessive with his interests and extremely anxious when he feels overwhelmed. But as with many teens, you may start to see behavioral and emotional changes happen when they hit puberty, usually at 11 to 13 years old. Are they most often alone? But it’s a diagnosis that many people don’t understand. Did they learn to speak later than most children (for example, not saying two or three word sentences before the age of four. Remind your teen that eating or controlling his or her diet isn't a healthy way to cope with emotions. Autism in girls and boys. If you're a neurotypical, you may struggle to communicate with someone living with autism. If you believe their behavior is disruptive or hindering their ability to succeed in ways that they’ve expressed interest, try to minimize those triggers or help your teen find coping mechanisms. Alexithymia is difficulty identifying and describing one's emotions. You don't want to confuse or upset your teen by asking questions involving them without actually involving them. I’m whole and complete — including my neurodivergence, not despite it. That’s when he or she faces physical and hormonal changes along with more social and educational challenges. Find what does (and doesn’t) work to help minimize behaviors that may be disruptive or challenge their ability to get the most out of the resources they have access to. isn’t impaired or deficient. The puzzle piece is also often associated with. These symptoms of high-functioning autism in children and teenagers can include a limited social circle, problems sharing toys or materials and difficulty completing group work. All rights reserved. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Keep in mind that sometimes, this is a matter of personal preference. He has appeared on the Huffington Post, NBC Nightly News, CBS, and WPIX discussing his holistic approach to ADD/ADHD treatment. Expert Interview. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Improve-Your-Outlook-on-Life-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Improve-Your-Outlook-on-Life-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Improve-Your-Outlook-on-Life-Step-12.jpg\/aid7715960-v4-728px-Improve-Your-Outlook-on-Life-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"