Restricted/Repetitive Behaviors
If left alone, the majority of the individuals’ time will be spent in repetitive or stereotyped behaviors.
Is preoccupied with specific stimuli that are abnormal in intensity.
Stares at hands, objects, or items in the environment for at least 5 seconds.
Flicks fingers rapidly in front of eyes for periods of 5 seconds or more.
Makes rapid lunging, darting movements when moving from place to place.
Flaps hands or fingers in front of face or at sides.
Makes high-pitched sounds (e.g., eee-eee-eee-eee) or other vocalizations for self-stimulation
Uses toys or objects inappropriately (e.g., spins cars, takes action toys apart).
Does certain things repetitively, ritualistically.
Engages in stereotyped behaviors when playing with toys or objects.
Repeats unintelligible sounds (babbles) over and over.
Shows unusual interest in sensory aspects of play materials, body parts, or objects.
Displays ritualistic or compulsive behaviors.
Does not initiate conversation with peers or others.
Pays little or no attention to what peers are doing.
Fails to imitate other people in games or learning activities.
Doesn’t follow other’s gestures (cues) to look at something (e.g., when other person nods head, points, or uses other body language cues).
Seems indifferent to other person’s attention (doesn’t try to get, maintain, or direct the other person’s attention).
Shows minimal expressed pleasure when interacting with others.
Displays little or no excitement in showing toys or objects to others.
Seems uninterested in pointing out things in the environment to others.
Seems unwilling or reluctant to get others to interact with him or her.
Shows minimal or no response when others attempt to interact with him or her.
Displays little or no reciprocal social communication (e.g., doesn’t voluntarily say “bye-bye’ in response to another person saying “bye-bye” to him or her).
Doesn’t try to make friends with other people.
Fails to engage in creative, imaginative play.
Shows little or no interest in other people.
Responds inappropriately to humorous stimuli (e.g., doesn’t laugh at jokes, cartoons, funny stories).
Has difficulty understanding jokes.
Has difficulty understanding slang expressions.
Has difficulty identifying when someone is teasing.
Has difficulty understanding when he or she is being ridiculed.
Has difficulty understanding what causes people to dislike him or her.
Fails to predict probable consequences in social events.
Doesn’t seem to understand that people have thoughts and feelings different from his or hers.
Doesn’t seem to understand that the other person doesn’t know something.
Needs an excessive amount of reassurance if things are changed or go wrong.
Becomes frustrated quickly when he or she cannot do something.
Temper tantrums when frustrated.
Becomes upset when routines are changed.
Has extreme reactions (e.g., cries, screams, tantrums) in response to loud, unexpected noise.
Temper tantrums when doesn’t get his or her way.
Temper tantrums when told to stop doing something he or she enjoys doing.
Uses exceptionally precise speech.
Attaches very concrete meanings to words.
Talks about a single subject excessively.
Displays superior knowledge or skill in specific subjects.
Displays excellent memory.
Shows an intense, obsessive interest in specific intellectual subjects.
Makes naïve remarks (unaware of reaction produced in others).
Repeats (echoes) words or phrases verbally or with signs.
Repeats words out of context (repeats words or phrases heard at an earlier time).
Speaks (or signs) with flat tone, affect.
Uses “yes” and “no” inappropriately. Says “yes” when asked if or she wants an aversive stimulus or says “no” when asked if or she wants a favorite toy or treat.
Uses “he” or “she’ instead of “I” when referring to self.
Speech is abnormal in tone, volume, or rate.
Utters idiosyncratic words or phrases that have no meaning to others.
