Mild autism?

can someone just give me the MAIN symtoms of mild autism in teenagers and adults?

also, is autism common or not?

My sister has Autism

Engaging in one-sided, long-winded conversations, without noticing if the listener is listening or trying to change the subject
Displaying unusual nonverbal communication, such as lack of eye contact, few facial expressions, or awkward body postures and gestures
Showing an intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects, such as baseball statistics, train schedules, weather or snakes
Appearing not to understand, empathize with, or be sensitive to others' feelings
Having a hard time "reading" other people or understanding humor
Speaking in a voice that is monotonous, rigid or unusually fast
Moving clumsily, with poor coordination
Having an odd posture or a rigid gait

Are you referring to Aspergers Syndrome? My Dad recently asked my psychologist to have me take some tests in order to see if I have mild autism,aka, Aspergers Syndrome. I think the symptoms of mild autism are having a hard time socializing and picking up on social cues. I've heard autism is pretty common.

Diagnosis: Asperger Syndrome
Do you find yourself confused in social situations? Are you passionately interested in a single topic? Is it tough for you to make and maintain eye contact? Then you, like many talented and intelligent adults, may be diagnosable with Asperger鈥檚 Syndrome.
Asperger Syndrome is different from other disorders on the autism spectrum, in part, because it is often diagnosed in older children and adults as opposed to very young children. That's because Asperger Syndrome is a relatively mild form of ASD which does not include problems with basic language skills. Many people with Asperger Syndrome are very bright and capable. The issues that emerge for people diagnosed with Aspergers are related specifically to social and communication skills -- skills that only become signficant as people get older and need to negotiate complex social situations.

What Does It Mean to Have Asperger Syndrome?
What does it mean to have Asperger鈥檚 Syndrome? Clearly, since so many successful people seem to have the diagnosis (Dan Ackroyd, for one, announced his diagnosis on the air -- and rumor has it that Bill Gates may also have Asperger鈥檚) it is not a disability in the classic sense. In fact, some historians suggest that Einstein, Mozart, and Alan Turing (the inventor of the first electronic computer) may all have been diagnosable with Asperger鈥檚.
What people with Asperger鈥檚 Syndrome do have in common is a set of characteristics that may make social interaction particularly difficult. Many 鈥渁spies鈥?(a term that teens and adults with Asperger鈥檚 Syndrome sometimes use to refer to themselves) have been bullied or teased as children. They may be awkward with the opposite sex. And they may have a tough time maneuvering through complex social cues at school, at work, or elsewhere.

The Cambridge Lifespan Asperger Syndrome Service(CLASS), an organization in the United Kingdom that works with adults with Asperger's has developed a simple ten question checklist to help with a preliminary self-diagnosis. If you answered 鈥測es鈥?to some or most of these questions, you may decide to find out more.


I find social situations confusing.

I find it hard to make small talk.

I did not enjoy imaginative story-writing at school.

I am good at picking up details and facts.

I find it hard to work out what other people are thinking and feeling.

I can focus on certain things for very long periods.

People often say I was rude even when this was not intended.

I have unusually strong, narrow interests.

I do certain things in an inflexible, repetitive way.

I have always had difficulty making friends.

If you do answer 鈥測es鈥?to many of these questions relative to yourself or a loved one, you may have uncovered an undiagnosed case of Asperger鈥檚 Syndrome. For some teens and adults, this is a tremendous relief: it puts a name on a set of issues that has troubled them throughout their lives. And it also opens the door to support, treatment, and community.

Autism is a spectrum disorder, however it's symptoms would not go unnoticed by parents, family and teachers for that long unless the person in question was seriously neglected. Early signs of autism can show at less than a year. Some people develop more 'sudden onset' autism, where they develop neurotypically until 14-24 months and then show sudden changes.

Some early signs in CHILDREN are;
-lack of eye contact
-doesn't respond to own name
-doesn't seek approval of adults
-'stimming' (self stimulation like hand flapping, rocking, humming, bouncing, twirling in circles)
-stacking or lining up objects
-wakefulness at night

The main thing is an issue with empathy. People with autism may are unable to anticipate how other are feeling, or how they will respond to an action.

Aspergers tend to have either higher or lower intellegence than normal. (less in the middle)

They may also focus intently on a hobby like electronics or cars.

Statistically more men have autism/aspergers than women.

Autism is more common that you think - 1 in 150.

I have listed what you looking for on the front page of Hope Ezine Today

hopeezinetoday.com

There are numerous articles and stories you may find helpful.