Non-verbal Communication

One of the hallmarks of ASD is a deficit in joint attention skills, such as following a social partner's eye gaze or point, or orienting to a social partner. In addition, many children lack the use of social gestures such as showing, waving, pointing, or nodding their head. Some children demonstrate basic gestures such as pulling, pushing, or leading others by the hand to get things they want, but the use of these gestures typically lacks any social component; the child seems to be using the adult just as a means to an end.