We have used the neutral word 'signs' to represent an easily observable behaviour of the child which might indicate some inner process or personality characteristic of the child. In some cases the medical model and the term symptom could be appropriate, for e.g. discussions of neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, and the signs flapping, and toe-walking; it is not appropriate for higher level, 'psychological' behaviours, such as echolalia, etc.

'toe-walking'

'flapping'

'fluff picking'

'posting'

the sidelong look

echolalia