Yes they can, childern with autism can memorize schedules such as for an airline; most are fascinated by numbers and excell in math. Many people with autism can lead very normal lives and are very intelligant. It is known that most people with Asperger’s (form of autism) are usually intelligant in one area or another. Perhaps the word you are looking for is characteristics.

Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees.

Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. Some individuals mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. They may have difficulty initiating and/or maintaining a conversation. Their communication is often described as talking at others instead of to them. (For example, monologue on a favorite subject that continues despite attempts by others to interject comments).

People with autism also process and respond to information in unique ways. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. For most of us, the integration of our senses helps us to understand what we are experiencing. For example, our sense of touch, smell and taste work together in the experience of eating a ripe peach: the feel of the peach’s skin, its sweet smell, and the juices running down your face. For children with autism, sensory integration problems are common, which may throw their senses off they may be over or under active. The fuzz on the peach may actually be experienced as painful and the smell may make the child gag. Some children with autism are particularly sensitive to sound, finding even the most ordinary daily noises painful. Many professionals feel that some of the typical autism behaviors are actually a result of sensory integration difficulties.

There are also many myths and misconceptions about autism. Contrary to popular belief, many autistic children do make eye contact; it just may be less often or different from a non-autistic child. Many children with autism can develop good functional language and others can develop some type of communication skills, such as sign language or use of pictures. Children do not “outgrow” autism but symptoms may lessen as the child develops and receives treatment.

One of the most devastating myths about autistic children is that they cannot show affection. While sensory stimulation is processed differently in some children, they can and do give affection. However, it may require patience on the parents’ part to accept and give love in the child’s terms.

Specific diagnostic criteria for Autism which is outlined in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR):

A. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3):

1. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

~Marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction

~Failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

~A lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest)

~Lack of social or emotional reciprocity

2. Qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:

~Delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gestures or mime)

~In individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others

~Stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language

~Lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level

3. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

~Encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus

~Apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals

~Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)

~Persistent preoccupation with parts of object

B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years:

~Social interaction

~Language as used in social communication

~Symbolic or imaginative play

C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett’s Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.

Some can. Those are more due to obsessive behaviors. For the most part, there is a social withdrawal. Being around lots of people can upset them…even like at their own birthday party. They can get easily upset by little things. Sometimes there are certain things…sounds, smells, etc…that trigger them getting very upset. I have a friend who has an autistic son. He doesn’t like fireworks. They have bought him some headphones that block sounds out so the fireworks don’t bother him.

There are varying degrees of autism though. Some are more extreme than others. In some cases, there are just mild symptoms.

A severe lack of interpersonal skills.

Autistic children cannot really sense how someone else is feeling, or what another person is thinking. They see themselves, and only themselves.

My brother has Aspergers. He is frighteningly good at Tangrams and math.

By the way, special features is a bit disrespectful. My brother is not an automobile.

the idea that autistic kids look a certain way is a myth–most look typical.. maybe tteh dic did tell teh parents and tehy are just denying it in the US he is eligible for free preschool if he has any delays–you can tell them it will help him catch up so he is rady to start kindergarten with his peers—and than let the school deal with the issue–they don’t need a diagnosis to get the education….. you could consider reportign tehm to social services for negelct–but if tehy do see a doc routinely they probably won’ty do anything it has been my experience that most regular pediatricians tell parents that their 3 year olds who aren’t talking are fine–they are clueless

PLEASE GIVE hepnout best answer!! I could not say more after her post. she is dead on!! thanks helpnout. you’ve even enlightend me and I also have a son with aspergers syndrome, his teachers are amazed by his art but he is no “rain man” in other words he is not a genius at anything. he’s just a great loving kid who loves and appreciates art and has a knack for colors. but helpnout you have my vote for best answer. I don’t like it when someone ask a question with all sincerity and she apologized for not knowing the correct terminology. but still some of you chose to answer her in a mean disrespectful way. I give you the thumbs down.

I agree, helpnout couldn’t have explained it any better!

My son is autistic,and though he is not a savant,there isn’t a day that goes by,that he doesn’t blow our mind with some fact or deed that shows what an incredible memory he has.We have a family joke when he does this,that “his rain man is showing” ! If you don’t learn to laugh,you’ll cry.That’s my motto for living with autism.

i agree with the respect person above ^

They usually have very good imaginations, are creative and can see things in different ways to other people, there logic is usually wrong but it makes sense, some can do maths some cant, there is varying degree’s of autism.

Some of them can. I think you are probably thinking of Asbergers though. I think that is what the Rain man had. It is a type of autism.

SPECIAL FEATURES!!!!

their not appliances nut job, learn how to ask questions and be a little more respectful. Jesus