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Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and nonverbal communication.

Social communication challenges - Children and adults with autism have difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication. For example, they may not understand or appropriately use:

• Spoken language (approximately one-third of people with autism are nonverbal)

• Gestures

• Eye contact

• Facial expressions

• Tone of voice

• Expressions not meant to be taken literally

Additional social challenges can include difficulty with:

• Recognizing emotions and intentions in others

• Expressing emotions

• Seeking emotional comfort from others

• Feeling overwhelmed in social situations

• Taking turns in conversation

• Gauging personal space (appropriate distance between people)

Restricted and repetitive behaviours - Restricted and repetitive behaviours vary greatly across the autism spectrum. They can include:

• Repetitive body movements (e.g., rocking, flapping, spinning, running back and forth)

• Repetitive motions with objects (e.g., spinning wheels, shaking sticks, flipping levers)

• Staring at lights or spinning objects

• Ritualistic behaviours (e.g., lining up objects, repeatedly touching objects in a set order)

• Narrow or extreme interests in specific topics

• Need for unvarying routine/resistance to change (e.g., same daily schedule, meal menu, clothes, route to school)

There are three subtypes of ADHD:

• Predominantly Inattentive - The majority of symptoms fall under inattention.

• Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive - The majority of symptoms are hyperactive and impulsive.

• Combined - This is a mix of inattentive symptoms and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms.

Symptoms of Inattention

A child who shows a pattern of inattention may often:

• Fail to pay close attention to details or make careless mistakes in schoolwork

• Have trouble staying focused in tasks or play

• Appear not to listen, even when spoken to directly

• Have difficulty following through on instructions and fail to finish schoolwork or chores

• Have trouble organizing tasks and activities

• Avoid or dislike tasks that require focused mental effort, such as homework

• Lose items needed for tasks or activities, for example, toys, school assignments, pencils

• Be easily distracted

• Forget to do some daily activities, such as forgetting to do chores

Symptoms of Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

A child who shows a pattern of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms may often:

• Fidget with or tap his or her hands or feet, or squirm in the seat

• Have difficulty staying seated in the classroom or in other situations

• Be on the go, in constant motion

• Run around or climb in situations when it's not appropriate

• Have trouble playing or doing an activity quietly

• Talk too much

• Blurt out answers, interrupting the questioner

• Have difficulty waiting for his or her turn

• Interrupt or intrude on others' conversations, games or activities

Any of these: - Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyslexia, Trauma, Developmental Disorders, Defiance Disorders, Learning Difficulties, ADHD, Anxiety, OCD, Auditory Processing, Sensory Integration, Speech Delays, Physical Disabilities, Down Syndrome and other Neurological disorders.