Unable to engage in fantasy or imaginative play such as role playing and storytelling. Responds inappropriately to sounds. Acquired speech is immature and unimaginative. He or she makes up words and echoes what someone says. Behavior, activities, and interests Develops habit behavior and compulsive routines.
Bangs head, rocks, or stares.
Has sudden screaming spells. Injures himself on purpose. Has trouble learning manual tasks. No child with autism will have all of the above symptoms nor is this a list of all the symptoms. Many years ago, doctors believed that an abnormal relationship between the infant and his or her parents caused autism.