Being a spectrum disorder, autism in kids and adults may present itself in any combination of behaviors depending on the severity of the condition. No two different kids with the same type of autistic disorder may show the same physical characteristics or traits. Moreover, a number of factors like how he is regarded may color, or disrupt, an autistic child's world. It is also hard to pinpoint a timeframe for recovery when it comes to autism, so the best that parents, caregivers, physicians and the general public (with whom they must interact) can do is broaden their understanding and patience for those diagnosed with the condition.

It may also help autistic kids and adults, along with their families, if certain myths and misconceptions are debunked. In so doing, autistic individuals will be aided in making strides in learning/social interaction and generally in making their journey to recovery.

In some forms of autism like Asperger's Syndrome, the condition may not be diagnosed until a person reaches adulthood. This is because the physical characteristics of autism of this sort may be interpreted as slow learning or off-track behavior. Take the case of John Elder Robison (who wrote about his life with Asperger's Syndrome), who faced difficulty in making friends and in reading social cues since childhood, but was not diagnosed until way past his prime.

One of the physical characteristics of autism is the impairment of the person's communicative/interactive abilities. A child who wanders about aimlessly in a room and ignores family members and doctors who may attempt social contact, while also manifesting strange behavior like whirling, rocking, hand flapping, crying without tears, head shaking or head banging, and screaming fits, to name some, is displaying some of the more common physical characteristics of autism.

You may also have heard about once gentle, bubbly and generally healthy kids transforming to tantrum-prone tykes who would engage in very rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, odd play, obsessive arrangement or spinning of objects, not speaking to nor responding to parents' gestures and words, and becoming very picky eaters. These are but some of the outward or physical characteristics of autism. Many changes are also taking place within the bodies and psyche of autistic kids, requiring all the help and support they can get.

Autistic children generally display an astounding array of nutritional deficiencies, and unless an appropriate healing program, notably a quality supplementation therapy, is provided, they are bound to display even greater undesirable or stranger behavioral patterns. They may likely show aloofness and irritability, extreme under-activity or lethargy (probably from iron deficiency) or overactivity; great difficulty in eating (it must be noted that autistic kids must be given a diet that is free from preservatives, artificial flavors and colors that may pose some troublesome reactions/effects) as well as in sleeping, learning and reacting to the environment. Making eye contact is usually also difficult for autistic individuals. Impaired speech is one of the most readily recognizable physical characteristics displayed by an autistic person. The right diet and food allergy control may contribute to some alertness and better social interaction of autistic kids.