Most of the time they will not make eye contact with others and have trouble making friends. Some people with autism are hypersensitive to sound and may get very upset when they hear sirens or dogs barking. Others are fascinated by faint noises such as the ticking of a watch. To some, bright lights are distressing, while others will stare at bright lights for hours. Others seem immune to pain and may hurt themselves.
Mood swings are common.
It was once thought that poor parenting caused autism. This is definitely not true. Although the cause of autism is unclear, it is known that genetics do play a role. A large number of people with these disorders are also diagnosed with autism. Furthermore, complicated births, such as difficult pregnancies, labor, or delivery may to contribute to the disorder.