Autism Symptoms and Early Signs

As a parent, you never want to believe that your precious bundle has a problem. But when it comes to autism, catching it early makes a huge difference. The younger your child, the greater the impact of treatment on symptoms of autism and other developmental problems. So watching for warning signs in babies and toddlers is vital.

If you catch autism in its early stages—ideally by the age of eighteen months—you may be able to interrupt its development and minimize problems. But no matter your child’s age, don’t lose hope. Treatment can reduce autism’s effects and help your child learn, grow, and thrive.

Understanding autism

Autism is a spectrum of closely related disorders with a shared core of symptoms. Autism spectrum disorders appear in infancy and early childhood, causing delays in many basic areas of development such as learning to talk, play, and interact with others.

The signs and symptoms of autism vary widely, as do its effects. Some autistic children have only mild impairments, while others have more obstacles to overcome. However, every child on the autism spectrum has problems, at least to some degree, in the following three areas:

* Communicating verbally and non-verbally
* Relating to others and the world around them
* Thinking and behaving flexibly

There are different opinions among doctors, parents, and experts about what causes autism and how best to treat it, and much that we still don’t know. But on one fact, everyone agrees: early and intensive intervention helps. For children at risk and children who show early signs, it can make all the difference.

Early detection of autism is up to parents

As a parent, you’re in the best position to spot the earliest warning signs of autism. You know your child better than anyone and observe behaviors and quirks that a pediatrician, in a quick fifteen-minute visit, might not have the chance to see. Your child’s pediatrician can be a valuable partner, but don’t discount the importance of your own observations and experience. The key is to educate yourself so you know what’s normal and what’s not.

* Monitor your child’s development. Autism involves a variety of developmental delays, so keeping a close eye on when—or if—your child is hitting the key social, emotional, and cognitive milestones is an effective way to spot the problem early on. While developmental delays don’t automatically point to autism, they may indicate a heightened risk.

* Take action if you’re concerned. Every child develops at a different pace—so you don’t need to panic if your child is a little late to talk or walk. When it comes to healthy development, there’s a wide range of “normal.” But if your child is not meeting the milestones for his or her age, or you suspect a problem, share your concerns with your child’s doctor immediately. Don’t wait.

* Don’t accept a wait-and-see approach. Many concerned parents are told, “Don’t worry” or “Wait and see.” But waiting is the worst thing you can do. You risk losing valuable time at an age where your child has the best chance for improvement. Furthermore, whether the delay is caused by autism or some other factor, developmentally delayed kids are unlikely to simply “grow out” of their problems. In order to develop skills in an area of delay, your child needs extra help and targeted treatment.

* Trust your instincts. Ideally, your child’s doctor will take your concerns seriously and perform a thorough evaluation for autism or other developmental delays. But sometimes, even well-meaning doctors miss red flags or underestimate problems. Listen to your gut if it’s telling you something is wrong and be persistent. Schedule a follow-up appointment with the doctor, seek a second opinion, or ask for a referral to a child development specialist.

Signs and symptoms of autism in babies and toddlers

If autism is caught in infancy, treatment can take full advantage of the young brain’s remarkable plasticity. Although autism is hard to diagnose before 24 months, symptoms often surface between 12 and 18 months. If signs are detected by 18 months of age, intensive treatment may help to rewire the brain and reverse the symptoms.

The earliest signs of autism involve the absence of normal behaviors—not the presence of abnormal ones—so they can be tough to spot. In some cases, the earliest symptoms of autism are even misinterpreted as signs of a “good baby,” since the infant may seem quiet, independent, and undemanding. However, you can catch warning signs early if you know what to look for.

Some autistic infants don't respond to cuddling, reach out to be picked up, or look at their mothers when being fed.

Early signs of autism in babies and toddlers

* Doesn’t make eye contact (e.g. look at you when being fed).
* Doesn't smile when smiled at.
* Doesn't respond to his or her name or to the sound of a familiar voice.
* Doesn’t follow objects visually.
* Doesn't point or wave goodbye or use other gestures to communicate.
* Doesn’t follow the gesture when you point things out.

* Doesn’t make noises to get your attention.
* Doesn’t initiate or respond to cuddling.
* Doesn’t imitate your movements and facial expressions.
* Doesn’t reach out to be picked up.
* Doesn’t play with other people or share interest and enjoyment.
* Doesn’t ask for help or make other basic requests.

helpguide.org

Posted in: Health

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