10 Symptoms of Autism

8. Bowel Disorders

The autistic child that does not suffer from some kind of bowel disorder is an exception to the rule. This sign of autism expresses itself in different forms. Sometimes it is a case of terrible constipation but they could just as well have a diarrhea problem. Inflammatory bowel disease is more common in autistic people than in the rest of the population. The pain they experience from these bowel disorders can contribute to aggressive or self-harming behavior. Changes to diet and medical treatments often help alleviate some of these bowel problems and raise their quality of life somewhat.