The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines autism as a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism include engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. To qualify for special education services under IDEA, these characteristics must impact the child’s ability to access the educational environment.
This resource contains a detailed breakdown of specific behaviors that align with IDEA’s criteria for autism, organized by the core domains: (1) deficits in social interaction, (2) deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication, (3) repetitive behaviors or stereotyped movements, (4) resistance to change, and (5) unusual responses to sensory experiences. For each domain, I list at least 20 specific behavioral examples tailored to the age groups 0-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, and 10-12. These examples reflect developmental expectations and the variability of autism symptoms across ages, drawing from clinical guidelines and research, such as those from the CDC and Autism Speaks.