50+ Insightful Reasons for Troublesome Behavior in Kids with Autism
50+ Insightful Reasons for Troublesome Behavior in Kids with Autism

Kids with autism have a unique way of thinking about the world that can be both fascinating and baffling. Often their intentions are misunderstood because they behave in ways that are unexpected.
This chart can help demystify some of those behaviors.
50+ Insightful Reasons for Troublesome Behavior in Kids with Autism
Teacher’s or Peer’s Impression | Possible Reasons for Behavior |
Uncaring and/or rude |
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Awkward in social conversations |
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Off-topic classroom comments |
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Introverted/anti-social |
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Disorganized, late, lazy, lacks follow-through |
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Doesn’t feel emotions |
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Over-reacts emotionally |
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Stubborn |
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Lacks common sense
|
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Behaves oddly |
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Excels at math, engineering & computers (stereotype) |
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Not interested in sports (stereotype) |
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Please note that no one student will struggle with all the challenges listed above, but all those with autism will struggle with some of these issues.
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Special thanks to Sue Keisler for her input, encouragement, and insight. She was instrumental in helping me create this, and made important contributions. Monica Adler Werner also made meaningful improvements.
This list is so fantastic. And it makes me wonder why the boy doesn’t have an autism diagnosis to go with all the others he already has. I could put a tick mark by probably more than 75% of the items on this list!!
I know there is a lot of cross-over, but are these things applicable to ADHD as well? My daughter is 3 and being evaluated for ADHD (in December, unfortunately), and in doing some research and listening to Penny Williams’ podcast, so much of this is sounding familiar and applicable. I’m wondering if we should be thinking she may be on the Autism spectrum along with the ADHD; obviously that’s for the specialists to determine though. Thanks!
There is a LOT of overlap between ADHD and autism. It can sometimes be tough to tease them apart. The evaluator should be open to all possibilities.