Autism spectrum disorder or ASD refers to a developmental disability that might be caused by brain differences.
Individuals suffering from AFD usually find it difficult to socially interact and communicate with others. They might also have repetitive or restricted behaviors and cannot open up freely. Autism signs usually show up when a child is 1-2 years old.
In this article, we’ll show you how to identify the signs of autism in young kids. Some may have a lot, others just a few, and all signs can be different based on how old the child is. Sometimes, these signs may change or become more evident as kids grow up.
Let’s begin!
Early Signs of Autism
During the first year of your child’s life, you need to pay attention to how they interact and communicate in order to catch any early signs of autism. Normal development involves responding to their name, making eye contact, and using gestures.
The most common ways to determine and understand the signs are via communication, social interaction, relationships with other children, and during playtime.
If you identify these signs, it’s essential that you pay a visit to the medical professional for official confirmation.
Here’s what you need to pay close attention to:
Eye contact
Some children with autism may not always use eye contact to get attention. For instance, they might not look at you and then at something they want but not tell you they want it, or they may not look back at you when they’re excited about something.
Recognizing objects/stuff
Sometimes, children with autism might not often point to or hold up objects to present them to you. They might not point at a dog and check if you’ve noticed it, too, or instead of holding up a toy and looking at you, they might just drop it in your lap and walk away.
Inconsistencies in expressions
Other situations involve not regularly using gestures on their own. This means they might not wave bye-bye or clap without being asked to do so, or they may not nod yes or shake their head for no without being asked as well.
Speech and facial reactions
Some children with autism may not always respond when you call their name or acknowledge it via facial expressions. They might not consistently smile back when you or others smile at them, and when they babble, it might not sound like they’re having a conversation with you.
Relationships with other children and being playful
If young children are autistic, they might not often show interest in other children, like not looking at them or trying to get their attention. They also rarely initiate games on their own, such as peekaboo or playing around the garden, and might not engage in pretend play, like pretending to feed a teddy bear.
Other signs
Other very common signs to look out for are repetitive behavior and special interests, as they are quite common in autistic young children.
They might have specific interests in certain objects or toys, like playing mostly with cars or dolls. Or they may engage in repetitive behavior, such as spinning the wheels of a toy car or repeatedly taking the clothes on and off a doll.
However, their interaction with toys and objects may be unexpected at different stages, like enjoying lining up objects or putting toys into piles. Moreover, this can lead to an increase in interest in specific activities, and they may get upset if they can’t engage in that activity, like watching the same TV show repeatedly.
That said, it’s important to know that autistic children do not enjoy frequent changes and would prefer their own routines. So bear in mind this when trying different approaches and methods. A medical professional will suggest the kind of therapies that would be most suitable for your child. One of the most popular ASD therapies is ABA therapy, which focuses on gradually helping children with their routines and improving the quality of their lives.
Diagnosis and Treatment Of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Diagnosing autism is not as easy as diagnosing other disabilities because there are no medical tests involved, like blood tests or others. A medical professional or doctor tends to look at the behavior of the child and their subsequent development over a span of months. Sometimes, it is detected at the age of 2 years, and sometimes it cannot be traced until 18 years.
By the age of 2, an experienced professional can carry a reliable diagnosis. On the other hand, several children are deprived of the ultimate diagnosis as long as they don’t grow old. The delay in treatment not only puts the child at potential risk but also deprives them of the potential benefits of growing up normally.
What Are The Risk Factors Involved?
More than 75,000,000 individuals all across the world are suffering from autism. This points out that 1 in every 100 kids is diagnosed with ASD, and it’s not good news for the world. There are different factors contributing to the development of autism in children, including genetic, biological, and environmental factors.
Very little information is available about the specific causes of ASD, but children might be at great risk if they:
- Have a sibling that has ASD
- Face complicated birth process
- Have chromosomal or genetic conditions like tuberous sclerosis or fragile X syndrome
- Are born to extremely aged parents
Conclusion
Understanding early signs of autism is vital for parents. Children with autism may display unique behaviors, such as limited eye contact, repetitive actions, and showing specific interests. Recognizing these signs early on allows for timely intervention and support, ensuring proper development.
It is essential to observe and engage with your child, creating an environment that addresses their individual needs. Keep in mind that early identification and targeted support can contribute significantly to your child’s overall well-being and future success. So, that was all about Autism Spectrum Disorder. Thank you for reading till the end. I hope this guide helps you to get useful information about autism.
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