Autism is a spectrum disorder meaning that it affects individuals differently; the severity of autism is different from person to person. Two autistic people may not exhibit the same behaviors or possess the same skills. It typically involves delays and impairment in the normal development of the brain affecting the areas of social skills, language, and behavior.

Delayed Language Skills
Often autistic teens will have trouble talking or expressing their ideas. In place of words they may use gestures. Depending on the severity, an autistic individual could have little or no speech. Because of their trouble with both verbal and non-verbal interaction, autistic teens have a tough time relating to the outside world.

Lack of Social Skills
Some autistic individuals are content occupying themselves. They don’t seek out contact with people. They aren’t sure what to do and what not to do in social situations. Each case is different – some are aggressive, through tantrums and practice self-injury, while others are passive and withdrawn. Without the ability to express oneself, frustration and anger often builds and their emotions come across in what many feel is unacceptable behavior. There are 3 main categories a person with autism falls under in relation to social activity:

• Socially Avoidant (tantrums or runs away from people; infant might arch his back to move away from a caregiver who is carrying him). A theory suggests an avoidant autistic person doesn’t like people or is afraid of them. Another idea is that he has sensory issues and doesn’t like to be touched or hear voices which he may perceive as too loud.
• Socially Indifferent (this person can do with or without people). According to researchers, beta-endorphins are released with gives a euphoric feeling; this pleasure takes place of the need for social interaction.
• Socially Awkward (tries hard to make friends but the interaction is self-centered which annoys other people). This person is said to lack common sense when it comes to social interactions. He did not learn how to interact with people and what behaviors are NOT ok.

It is also the belief of researchers that some autistic people lack social cognition. In other words, they don’t understand that people have their own thoughts, views on things or beliefs, attitudes, and emotions. This makes it difficult to predict what another person might say or do.

Sensory Overload
Often autistic individuals are sensitive to certain sounds, dislike the taste of particular foods, and object the feeling of some objects. They also can become attached to objects and prefer those over physical contact with people. While they may think a person’s voice is too loud even at a normal level, they can be oblivious to pain.

Intelligence
Autism is treatable. While the disability never fully goes away, vast improvements can be made linguistically (in language skills), socially and academically. Autistic teens often enjoy school and may enroll in college and lead normal productive lives. An early diagnosis of autism and finding the proper treatment and education program will greatly enhance their chance of leading a happy, productive life. Most autistic children are of average or above average intelligence. This is a good time to clear up a misconception about autistic individuals. Not every autistic person is going to function like Dustin Hoffman in the movie, Rain Man. There is a phenomenon among autistic people that doctors are still unable to fully understand.

Autistic Savant
An autistic savant has an extraordinary skill that most individuals don’t possess. Roughly 10% of the population exhibits these skills whereas less than 1% of the non-autistic population has savant abilities. The most common of these are:

• Mathematical Calculations (a person might memorize a calendar or what day a particular date landed on years ago)
• Memory Feats (how the US highway system goes; birthdays; information about Presidents including birth dates, term in office etc.)
• Artistic Talent (drawing, painting, water colors that rival the best of well-known artists)
• Musical Gift (perfect pitch; memorize a composition by ear and then play it back)

Characteristics may appear in several combinations and in different degrees of severity (autistic-like, autistic-spectrum, autistic-tendencies, high/low-functioning autism, and more/less-abled autism).

Autism involves a lack of eye contact and an obvious distaste for physical attention. The patient also fails to develop language skills and has a tendency to repeat what one has just heard (echolalia) and to repeat the actions of others (echopraxia). The patient often uses "I" where "you" is meant, and responds negatively to changes in the environment.