The CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network has reported that one in 54 children has autism spectrum disorder. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a neurodevelopmental disorder often characterized by cognitive impairments, repetitive behaviors, communication difficulties, and social impairments.
If you are wondering whether your young one has ASD, chances are that you have noticed some signs that are raising your concerns. It can be scary, but the best part is that early detection and behavioral intervention can make a difference. You can get your child the help they need to thrive and grow.
Here are the early signs of autism that you should be aware of.
Behavioral Differences
One sign of ASD can be obsession with unusual activities. You might notice your child repeating some actions that are uncommon in children such as lining up items, dropping and watching the same item repeatedly, or playing with toys in ways that are not intended.
It wouldn’t be surprising to find children diagnosed with ASD showing interest in a part of the toy instead of playing with the whole toy. They might also be having a tendency of looking or gazing at objects unusually (such as out of the corner of their eye).
You should also be on the lookout for order and routines and extreme problems deviating from these. Children with ASD might also encounter difficulties with transitioning or changing from one activity to another. A child who becomes agitated when you’re trying to ‘interfere’ with the routine may be exhibiting some of the early signs of ASD.
Another early sign of ASD can be zero sensitivity or unexplainable high sensitivity to lights, smells, textures, touch, and sounds. Another early sign that you might notice is the child’s seeming inability to notice pain like others.
Social Differences
Children who have ASD are abled differently when it comes to socialization. Social differences are easy to note, especially when the child is growing and failing to meet the social milestones at a particular age. It would help to know more about social development in children to guide you in establishing whether your baby is growing well. Checking in with your pediatrician is encouraged; however, not all pediatricians are well-versed in social development.
A child with ASD may also experience difficulties making and maintaining eye contact. They tend to have inappropriate facial expressions, meaning that what they are expressing isn’t necessarily what they feel. These kids can struggle to understand what others are thinking or feeling based on facial expressions, often because they are not paying attention.
Your baby should be smiling as a response to the mother at about eight weeks. Smiling is a social developmental milestone that follows as soon as the baby can coordinate its eyes. If, by 12 weeks, your baby isn’t responding to your smile, visit the doctor for an assessment.
Over time, babies often show interest in objects. They bring items to parents, point them, and show interest in what a parent is pointing at. Without this interest in events or objects, you should start thinking of visiting the clinic to have your child evaluated.
Among the early signs of ASD that parents tend to pass as a personality is a child’s inability or disinterest in making social connections. While your young one might be introverted, ASD tends to be extreme when it comes to a lack of socialization. If you’re unsure about your child’s social behavior, autism testing can help.
Communication Differences
Children who have ASD have significant differences in their communication when compared with their counterparts. You should seek assessment if your baby is unable to utter single words by 16 months. Another notable sign of ASD is the disinterest in communicating or the inability to continue a conversation.
Some children keep repeating or echoing what others say despite not understanding the meaning. They might also respond to some sounds like a barking dog, despite being unresponsive to their names.
ASD makes children unable to point at things they are interested in. When playing, the chances are that they won’t be using objects or toys to represent real-life people or things as toddlers often do in pretend play. On the flip side, they might be having unmatched rote memory for TV jingles, songs, letters, or numbers.
If you have noticed some of these differences in communication, a test for autism is a great idea. The steps to take after an autism diagnosis will depend on the severity of the condition. Your psychological evaluator will be better placed to advise you on what you need to do to ensure that your kids grow and thrive regardless of the limitations.
Other Early Signs of ASD
Autism spectrum disorder further causes a wide range of symptoms that might not necessarily fall under the three broad categories mentioned. Some of these signs that you need to watch out for include;
- Extreme temper tantrums
- Aggression
- Hyperactivity
- Short attention span
- Impulsivity
- Unusual sleeping and eating habits
- Being fearless or overly fearful
- Odd emotional reactions and moods
- Self-injury
While one or two of these signs might be normal for a growing child, don’t ignore when the signs are multiple and consistent. If you feel your baby isn’t okay, chances are that they aren’t. Trust your gut feelings and have a diagnosis to help you in making the right decisions.
Noting these early signs of ASD is a great starting point in managing the condition.
Parents Need to Know the Early Signs of ASD
ASD has become quite prevalent over the years. As it stands, research is yet to establish a single cause of ASD.
It is crucial to understand the early signs of ASD to help in seeking timely diagnosis and treatment. Some signs can be quite mild and easy to miss.
Ultimately testing for autism is the surest way of knowing if a person has the disorder.
Northern Colorado Assessment Center offers assessment services and recommendations to ensure that a person manages challenges in life regardless of the developmental disorders. Contact us today for autism testing and guidance.
