Social, Emotional, Play, And Self-Regulation Dysfunction:

Social:

__ difficulty getting along with peers 

__ prefers playing by self with objects or toys rather than with people 

__ does not interact reciprocally with peers or adults; hard to have a "meaningful" two-way conversation 

__ self-abusive or abusive to others 

__ others have a hard time interpreting child's cues, needs, or emotions 

__ does not seek out connections with familiar people 

Emotional:

__ difficulty accepting changes in routine (to the point of tantrums) 

__ gets easily frustrated 

__ often impulsive 

__ functions best in small group or individually 

__ variable and quickly changing moods; prone to outbursts and tantrums 

__ prefers to play on the outside, away from groups, or just be an observer

__ avoids eye contact 

__ difficulty appropriately making needs known 

Play:

__ difficulty with imitative play (over 10 months) 

__ wanders aimlessly without purposeful play or exploration (over 15 months)

__ needs adult guidance to play, difficulty playing independently (over 18 months) 

__ participates in repetitive play for hours; i.e., lining up toys cars, blocks, watching one movie over and over etc.

Self-Regulation:

__ excessive irritability, fussiness or colic as an infant 

__ can't calm or soothe self through pacifier, comfort object, or caregiver

__ can't go from sleeping to awake without distress 

__ requires excessive help from caregiver to fall asleep; i.e., rubbing back or head, rocking, long walks, or car rides