Faces of Autism

First grader Christine is an animal lover with a gentle demeanor. She rarely seems interested in class activities; a whirlwind of other students transitioning between tasks doesn't even merit a glance. She often retreats to the classroom rocking chair. If the teacher tries to physically encourage her to join the group, Christine becomes limp and lies back so that moving her takes two people, one holding each extended hand. She almost never initiates conversation. The only time she seems to become engaged is during structured physical education time when the group has started a high-velocity activity like jumping jacks. Even then, she doesn't catch on until most of the others are almost finished.

Ninth grader Alex is an avid sports fan with an infectious smile. His written work is commendable—when he can find it. He frequently disrupts class, blurting out irrelevant comments while raising both hands. A walking thesaurus, he loves to "help" other students expand their vocabulary by offering replacement words during class discussions. At times, he chews on his shirt, or rocks back in his chair and puts both feet up on his desk. Unstructured transition periods—changing classes, eating lunch, riding the bus—are his worst times of the school day. He typically becomes louder, more frantic, and verbally insulting. His peers have virtually withdrawn from interaction with him.