As a parent, you are always looking out for your child’s well-being and development. You want what is best for them and hope to see them grow and thrive. While each child is unique and develops at their own pace, certain milestones are generally expected to be met within a certain timeframe. It can be difficult to know if your child is developing normally or if they may have a condition such as autism.
Autism is a kind of developmental disorder causing communication, behavioral, and social challenges. There is no one “autism” symptom, but some telltale signs may indicate your child has autism.
Early signs of Autism
Autism is a neurological disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. It is important to be aware of the telltale signs of autism so that you can get your child the help they need.
Some early signs of autism include:
- Not making eye contact
Eye contact is an important part of social interaction; its absence can be one of the earliest signs of autism. Researchers have found that reduced eye contact occurs in about half of infants later diagnosed with autism.
- Not responding to their name
There are many early signs of autism, but one of the most common is a child not responding to their name. This can be a sign that your child is not tuned in to the world around them and may be experiencing difficulty processing information. Additionally, children who do not respond to their name by 12 months old could also be a sign.
If you notice that your child isn’t responding to their name, it’s important to talk to your child’s doctor. They can help you determine if your child is on the autism spectrum and can provide you with resources and support. You can check out autism clinical trials at Power if you’re looking for additional treatment options for autism.
- Not pointing or waving
In fact, many children with autism wave and point, but they may do so differently than other children. For example, they may not make eye contact when they wave or point with their whole hand instead of just their index finger.
- Not babbling
One of the early signs of autism is a delay in speech and language development. This can be evident in a child who isn’t babbling by 12 months or isn’t using words by 18 months.
- Not playing “peek-a-boo”
For many babies and toddlers, peek-a-boo is a fun game that they love to play. But children with autism may not be interested in playing peek-a-boo or other games involving social interaction. If your child is not interested in playing peek-a-boo or any other social games, it could be an early sign of autism.
- Not imitating sounds
Some early signs of autism involve a child’s inability to imitate sounds. This can be one of the first red flags that something is not quite right. If your child is not making any sounds, or if they are making unusual sounds, it’s important to bring this to the attention of your child’s doctor.
- Not following objects with their eyes
One of the earliest signs that an individual may have autism is difficulty following objects with their eyes. This can be a sign that the individual is not processing visual information in the same way as other people.
- Repeating words or phrases
One of the earliest signs of autism is repeating words or phrases. This can be either immediate repetition of what someone else has said or echolalia, which is repeating words or phrases from TV, movies, or books.
- Getting upset by small changes
One of these behaviors is an intense reaction to small changes. For example, a child with autism may become extremely upset if their routine is changed or if a favorite toy is moved to a different location.
This intense reaction to change can be difficult for parents and caregivers to understand. After all, most people can adapt to small changes without much difficulty. However, for a child with autism, even a small change can feel like huge disruption.
- Having obsessive interests
There are many different early signs of autism, and one of them is having obsessive interests. This can look different from child to child, but some common obsessive interests include certain animals, spinning objects, lights, or repetitive movements.
Children with autism often become fixated on these interests, and they can have difficulty focusing on anything else. This can be a problem in school, where the child may have trouble paying attention to the teacher or completing classwork.
This can be difficult for parents to deal with, as they may not understand why their child is so obsessed with a certain topic. However, it is important to remember that this is just one of many possible early signs of autism and that each child is different.
If you are concerned that your child may be showing signs of autism, it is important to speak to a doctor or professional who can help you assess the situation.