Autism resources
Every child is unique, but some behaviours might indicate your child is processing the world in their own special way. You may notice they become intensely focused on specific interests, finding comfort in routines and repetition. Sensory experiences, such as bright lights or certain sounds, might overwhelm them or bring unusual joy. Social interactions may feel challenging—your child might prefer playing alone, struggle with eye contact, or find it hard to express their emotions verbally.
Some children may develop language later or communicate in different ways, such as using gestures or creating their own phrases. Others might have an extraordinary memory or excel in certain skills but find change unsettling.
If you spot any of these signs, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. It’s a chance to understand their world better and celebrate their unique way of experiencing life.
- Limited or no speech OR regression of previous speech skills
- When you point at something your child doesn’t look or doesn’t point
- Sensitive to noise and/or doesn’t respond when you call them
- Plays in the same way with a small number of toys
- Unusual hand movements
- Doesn’t appear very interested in other children
- Doesn’t imitate facial expressions e.g. smiling
- Avoids eye contact
- Limited understanding of what you are asking them to do
Adapted from M-CHAT-R
- Limited or repetitive spoken language
- Monotonous tone
- Talks a lot about topic of interest
- Conversation feels more like a monologue
- Can seem rude at times
- Difficulties using or interpreting body language / facial expression
- Takes things literally
- Doesn’t respond well to demands
- Poor awareness of personal space
- Difficulties adapting communication to different settings
- Doesn’t like making eye contact, or makes too much
- Difficulties paying attention to one thing with an adult – especially if introduced by the adult
- Play may be fixed i.e. lacking imagination and repetitive
- Repetitive movements e.g. hand flapping or body rocking
- Unusual interests
- Expects others to follow their rules
- Preference for familiar routines / dislike of change
- Excessive reaction to taste, smell, texture or appearance of food
- Unusual profile of skills e.g. reading may be more advanced than spoken language alone
- Social and emotional development not as developed as other skills
Adapted from NICE clinical guidelines 128
- As previously, +…
- Fine attention to detail that others may miss
- Difficulties “reading between the lines”
- Understanding what the other person is thinking or what they really mean when we’re having a conversation by reading their facial expression or body language
- Specific interests or collections
Adapted from AQ10
A brief history of Autism
1943
Leo Kanner published a paper identifying a group of children with similar characteristics, later described as “Autism”. In the same year Hans Asperger did the same about a slightly different presentation.
1967
The ICD classification tool first recognised “Autism” as a diagnosis.
1979
Through a study of children in Camberwell, Wing and Gould coined the phrase “Triad of impairments” which stated that to be diagnosed with Autism a child would have difficulties in 3 key areas: Social interaction, Communication and Repetitive behaviour.
1981
Two important papers “Nothing about us without us” and The Education Act (UK) promoted inclusion.
2014
The Children and Families (UK) Act updated the legal commitment for the provision of support to the new Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP’s).
2022
The updated ICD-11 brought together all labels under one umbrella term of “Autism”.

Autism Resources
Here are some Autism resources that may help.