ajuryious behaviors. >> is there any idea why that happens as part of the autism spectrum? >> it may be very similar to a lot of the other repetitive behaviors that they have. >> autism, asd for autism spectrum disorder, is by definition a wide array of behaviors. but mild, more severe, the two core symptoms are social communication challenges, and one-third are nonverbal and second, repetitive behaviors, like rocking, flapping or even hitting. particularly challenging for the zartlers, hitting people, including themselves, making life unimaginebly challenging for kara and her parents.