In my experience my daughter has copied a lot of behaviors that she sees. At one point she was in a school for only children with autism verbal and non verbal. She's verbal and she began to copy some of the nonverbal things they other children did as well as throwing her self on the floor and hand flapping. The ABA teachers stated that I would not have to worry about her picking up other behaviors that there job was to stop it however, she did not do well in that environment and seemed worse....Which is why I believe in mixed classrooms or at least having her exposed to typical kids. She has done much better that way. She no longer hand flaps or rolls on the floor. She still like to figet things in her hands and move her lips, which is a behavior she's had since about 2 years old. That too is slowly decreasing.

Part of the problem can from school if your kid is placed in a class with other autistic kids or other disabilities. Our daughter is somewhat verbal but didn't make a lot of non-verbal sounds until she hit school where she heard non-verbal kids making noise which she then copied.

Also be aware that 85% of kids with autism are boys so some of the more common traits for boys may not be so prominent that it is for boys. I've seen a few aggressive ASD boys but I haven't any girls that acted that way. I've heard some of the teachers and therapists (all women) express that they liked to work with the girls maybe because there are so many boys and the girls seemed somewhat quieter.

It absolutely depends on the child my son has more stemming issues their diets have chamged my daughter less meltdows my son more outbursts and aggression my daughter less aggression both better at communication. Big hugs things definitely change

Well, my daughter Joy was diagnosis January of this year. Just 3 weeks after she turned 2. I've noticed little changes from then until now. She's saying words and i can get a feel of how her voice will sound which is exciting. She's making more eye contact and again this just in a few months. Also, she been doing pretend play. On the other hand i have a nephew who was diagnosis at 4 and he's 6 now. He's still non-verbal and has never spoken a word. Recently he has learned how to go to the bathroom on his own. I think it just depends on the child.

Yes for Liam it did...some he stopped doing..then would start doing them again...some things he does now are new as well...so I think yes kids with autism do show more or other/different symptoms as they get older.