It is not easy to decide whether or not your child may have autism. If a child's behaviour is giving cause for concern, then the first possibility to consider is that of a disruptive behavioural disorder characterised by destructive and disobedient behaviours like hitting others, yelling, calling others names and missing school 4 out of 5 days.

It is natural that as children grow older, oppositional and defiant behaviour may continue and result in children having perissting conflicts with adults and peers both at home and at school.

A feature of autism is often demonstrated in stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms of opening and closing of hands plus speech problems like inability to sustain a conversation, delay in development of spoken language, and preoccupation with a stereotyped interest.

Another possibility that has similar symptoms is a premorbid stage of childhood schizophrenia in the form of disorganised speech (before he can finish one subject he stops mid stream and switches to something different and completely unrelated), aggressive behaviour, disruptive behaviour, alternating moods inappropriate to environment, school problems etc.

These things are all possible but it would not be possible to reach a definitive diagnosis without detailed examination of a child and his parents and observation of the child in person. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, you must consult your paediatrician as early intervention is always helpful in recognising and treating these problems.