Identifying Autism: What You Need to Know

Direct observation of the individual's behavior is another critical component of the diagnostic process. Clinicians will observe how the person interacts with others, how they play, and how they respond to different social situations. They will look for specific behaviors that are characteristic of autism, such as difficulties with eye contact, limited use of gestures, repetitive movements, and unusual sensory interests. These observations provide firsthand evidence of the individual's current functioning and can help to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of autism.