Early Signs of Autism

I hear reports and theories about autism almost on a weekly basis.  Many children exhibit some of the early signs of autism, but a true diagnosis requires evidence of multiple symptoms over a period of time.  In an article in Baby Talk Magazine, April 2013, entitled "Experts Are Unraveling Autism", it states that "Autsim is notoriously tricky to spot in babies and toddlers, mainly because symptoms can vary from child to child and may mimic other developmental delays." 

An important factor to consider if you have concerns that your child is exhibiting signs of autism is that intervening early is a key to helping your child develop the social skills they may be struggling with.  If you notice signs or symptoms from the list below in your child, please bring them to the attention of your early intervention team and/or your pediatrician.

Here's what to watch for:
By 6 months: baby doesn't smile or express joy
By 9 months: baby doesn't share sounds back and forth with others
By 12 months: baby doesn't regularly turn when you call his name, babble or "baby talk"
By 14 months: baby isn't pointing to show interest
By 16 months: baby doesn't "pretend" or "make-believe"

Keep a journal of your baby's milestones, such as smiling, babbling and sitting up.  Keeping this record will allow you to discuss delays with your pediatrician should the need arise.  You can also check the website healthychildren.org to determine if your child is on target for his age.  Other strategies to help your child include pointing at and labeling objects that interest your child, and reading and re-reading simple board books to help them make connections to the outside world.  This will help all children develop, but will be especially helpful for a child with autism.

In another article entitled Autism Symptoms & Early Signs: What to Look for in Babies, Toddlers and Children, the suggestion is made to watch for symptoms between 12 and 18 months of age.  It also states that "The earliest signs of autism involve the absence of normal behaviors - not the presence of abnormal ones - so they can be tough to spot."  They also provide this list of early signs:

• Doesn't make eye contact
• 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

Parents are the experts on their child and your observations are a valuable part of helping your child develop to their potential.

I would like to insert a note of caution: while the internet can be a valuable resource for information, it also provides on opportunity for people to sale "cures" for everything.  They are usually useless.  Here are some helpful sites to research more information:

First Signs - promotes early detection, features videos of young autistic children to help parents spot concerning behavior (firstsigns.org)

Autism Speaks' 100-day kit - includes tips for telling friends and starting treatments (autismspeaks.org/family-sevices/tool-kits/100-day-kit)

Autsim Support Network - for quick answers to day-to-day questions, for an outlet to vent, join the discussion forum.  (autsimsupportnetwork.com)