Every autistic child is different from each other. Where one child might exhibit few signs another may exhibit a lot more. Experts agree that the early signs of autism start to show up in children between the ages of two to three. Sometimes, signs start to show in infants and sometimes growth is normal till about 18 months in.
Every child develops at a different speed. This development is usually monitored by watching if the child is achieving important milestones. Milestones can be physical, emotional and social. It is especially important to monitor a child’s social communication development in the first year. This monitoring is what helps in spotting signs of autism. Monitoring smiling, eye contact and gestures can help you decipher if your child has autism spectrum disorder.
Even though there is a lot of awareness now, majority of the children are still not diagnosed with autism till the age of four or sometimes even later. Not much is known about Autism but what is known is that early intervention improves the lives of those children with autism. You do not need to wait for your pediatrician to pick up on the signs of autism in your child. Since you know your bundle of joy the best, you too can pick up on cues and directly speak to the doctor.
The signs you should look out for:
In Babies and Toddlers
- Is really slow when it comes to smiling and laughing.
- Does not like cuddling and being held
- Doesn’t point at objects to show any form of interest
- No eye contact
- Does not to respond to his/her name by 12 months
- Doesn’t visually follow an object
- Doesn’t use gestures to communicate
- Doesn’t follow your finger when you point at something
- Avoids making noises to get your attention
- Doesn’t imitate your movements and facial expressions
- Doesn’t play with other people or share interest and enjoyment
- Doesn’t like to ask for help or assistance
If you notice these delays immediately speak to your pediatrician.
- By 6 months: No big smiles or joyful expressions
- By 9 months: No sharing of sounds, smiles or facial expressions.
- By 12 months: Lack of response when called by name
- By 12 months: No baby talk
- By 12 months: No use of gestures like pointing, showing etc
- By 16 months: Not speaking
- By 24 months: No two word phrases that aren’t imitated or repeated
In Older Children
- Seems aloof from other people and his/her surroundings
- Struggles to make friends and connect with other people
- Chooses not be held or cuddled
- Doesn’t play games or engage in group activities. Doesn’t use toys in new ways.
- Has trouble expressing him/her
- Doesn’t seem to be paying attention when others are talking to him/her
- Does not like to share things with others like a drawing or a toy.
- Speaks in a strange tone of voice. (e.g ends every sentence as if asking a question)
- Repeats himself/herself over and over.
- When asked a question, he/she repeats it rather than answering it.
- Refers to self in third person.
- Has a hard time communicating wants and needs
- Has difficulty communicating needs or desires
- Has a hard time understanding simple directions, statements or questions.
- Misses the undertone of humor, sarcasm and irony in a statement.
What should you, as a parent, do?
- Talk to your child’s doctor
It’s understandable that it’s hard to imagine your child with autism. But the best way to help your child is to make a quick and accurate diagnosis. You may have noticed some of the above mentioned signs in your child already. Now it is the doctor’s job to make a proper diagnosis.
- Do not “wait and see”
If you are not sure if your child exhibits such behavior, do not wait and see. Go to the doctor and speak to him.
There isn’t a cure found yet for autism but there is an alternate way as well. Stem cell therapy. It’s a part of regenerative medicine that works wonders for children with autism. NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute, Mumbai, is a pioneer of stem cell therapy in India. Visit their website and speak to the doctors about your child.
No matter what happens, remember to relax. Pay attention to your child’s behavior patterns and ask questions to your doctors. Try not to let the fear of the unknown steal away the time of joy with your son or daughter.
