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)

Internet Resources

Sometimes I struggle to come up with something to put in the blog, so if you have a suggestion or an idea or a question, please let me know and I will address the topic when I am stumped!

Meanwhile, I want to give you a list of internet resources that provide information on child development, safety tips, ideas for family activities, etc.  Some of these websites provide a wealth of information and you could end up spending hours on them.  Remember, the most important resource for your little one is your time, so limit yourself or go to the website looking for an idea and then go play!

www.utahbabywatch.org (Click on "For Parents" then "Your Child's Development")

www.aap.org (American Academy of Pediatrics - includes a wide variety of information)

www.aapd.org (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry - Click on Parent Resource Center)

www.babycenter.com (Incudes a wide variety of information from pregnancy to adulthood)

www.childdevelopmentinfo.com (Child Development Institiute - includes informaton on development, parenting, psychology, learning and health and safety)

www.colgate.com (Click on Colgate Oral and Dental Health Resource Center, then Oral Care for Children)

www.familyeducation.com (This site addresses about every topic you can imagine)

www.immunize-utah.com (immunization schedule - click on Parent's Guide)

www.kidshealth.org (Click on Kids Site, then choose a topic)

www.pampers.com (Includes information on baby care, diapers, toilet training, parenting tips, activities, recipes, products, etc.)

www.parents.com (Includes information on everything from pregnancy, babies, toddlers, preschoolers, big kids, teens, family life, fun, food and recipes, etc.)

www.utahsafekids.org (Click on safety tips)

www.weber.edu/ccrr (Northern Utah Child Care Resource and Referral information)

www.drjean.org (Click on Free Activities for free printables for children, activity and song ideas, etc.)

www.icdl.com (A resource to answer your questions about Floortime)

www.babybumblebee.com (I like the Free Flashcards, Apps and More section)

www.dotolearn.com (Resources for Pictures or Schedule Boards, etc.)

www.starfall.com (Fun games to help your little one start to recognize letters and their sounds)

www.hummingbirded.com (Free Download section provides some printable books and activities)

www.parents.com/familyfun-magazine (Lots of ideas about everything)

Please share your favorite internet websites!

The Best Homemade Play Dough

Most people who work with young children make homemade play dough at some point.  Jessica Hogg, one of our Speech/Language Specialists, found this recipe and says it is great play dough.  Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:
1 cup water      1 cup flour      2 tablespoons Cream of Tartar
2 tablespoons salt      2 tablespoons cooking oil      1 package Jello

Instructions:

• Mix all ingredients together in a bowl - whisk until smooth
• Pour mixture into a saucepan on medium heat
• Stir continuously until it becomes solid and sticks together
• Place on floured cutting board and let cool
• Knead in flour until no longer sticky
• Enjoy!

**This can turn into a fine motor/senory activity if you have your child place small objects (like beads or dried beans) in the play dough then try to get them back out.

Do you have a favorite recipe or activity for your little one?

March Activities

The weather is getting a little warmer!  I'm sure your children are loving their outside time.  Here are some community activities to get everyone out of the house:

Opportunities to attend "Parenting With Love and Logic" on Tuesday, March 12th from 6:30 - 8:00 pm at North Davis Jr. High (835 S. State Street, Clearfield) or on Wednesday, March 13th from 6:30 - 8:00 pm at Washington Elementary (340 W. 650 S. Bountiful) or on Thursday, March 14th from 6:30 - 8:00 pm at Cook Elementary (1175 W. 1350 S. Syracuse).  To register for any of these classes, please call Angie Smith at 801 773-7060 ext. 502 or register online at dbhutah.org.  All classes are free.

You can also register to attend a free12 week parenting program called The Incredible Years.  This is a program for parents of children ages 2 - 8.  Classes are from 6:30 - 8:00 starting on Wednesday, April 10th.  Limited childcare is available.  To register, call Angie Smith at 801 772-7060 ext. 502 or register online at dbhutah.org.  (I know this is in April, but I wanted to give you a head's up in case there is limited space available).

Remember, Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 10th.  "Spring" forward!

North Salt Lake Kite Festival begins on March 30.  See the city website for more information.

Bountiful Bunny Hop at the Bountiful City Park at the New Pavillion Saturday, March 23rd from 10 - 1.  Tickets will cost .25 and the Easter Egg Hunt will cost $1.00.  Lots of activities for the family.

Farmington City Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30th at 10:00 am.  See the city website for more information.

Bunny Hop at Station Park Saturday, March 16th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm  Activities, entertainment, and a photo opp with the Easter Bunny (bring your cameras).  801 451-5993

Kaysville Easter Egg Hunt at Barnes Park on Saturday, March 30th at 10:00 am.

Layton Family Night at the Library on Friday, March 15th.  Storytelling, games and other adventures.  From 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

Clearfield Easter Egg Hunt at Fisher Park behind the Clearfield Acquatic Center on Saturday, March 30th at 10:00 am.  Seperate hunting areas for different age groups.  Parents are allowed to help children in the two and under group and the special needs group.

Syracuse Easter Egg Scramble on Saturday, March 30th at 10:00 am at Founders Park.

Family Art Night on Monday, March 25th at the Bountiful Davis Art Center's new location: 28 East State, Farmington - on the second floor.  801 451-3660

West Point Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30th at 10:00 am at Loy Blake Park.

South Weber Easter Egg Hunt on Monday, March 25th at 5:30 pm at Cherry Farms Park.

Hill Air Force Base also hosts an Easter Egg Hunt on March 30th at the Ball Fields.  The age groups start at different times and parents are allowed to help with the 0- 2 group and the Special Needs Group.  Times are: 0 - 2 begin at 10:00, 3- 5 begin at 10:15, 6 - 8 begin at 10:30, 9 - 12 begin at 10:45 and the Special Needs group begins at 11:00.

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum has a free day on March 14th and the Museum of Fine Arts has free admission on the first Wednesday and the Third Saturday of each month.