What Are The Signs Of Autism?

Extreme Interest In Specific Things

Autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are two neurodivergent conditions that share many traits. In the past, they were actually considered to exist on the same spectrum. One of the things that's common in both conditions is a phenomenon called 'hyperfocus.' In it, an affected individual may become extremely interested in specific things. They will then develop a singleminded focus on their current interest, learning everything they can about it and creating things related to it and talking to anyone who will listen about it. When an individual with autism is interested in something, studies indicate they have a significantly better ability to concentrate and absorb information than their average neurotypical counterparts. The flip side of this, though, is it will often be impossible for them to focus on anything other than their interest. This can be frustrating to the individuals around them; if they can focus on one thing, it's hard to understand why they can't just switch tasks and focus on the other. But for an individual with autism who is hyperfocusing, attempting to think about other things isn't possible since their brain is entirely occupied.

Continue reading to learn more about the indicators of autism now.