Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), also known as “autism,” is a condition that usually appears among kids by affecting their brain development. It could lead children to have difficulty socializing with people, picking up basic interactions, delaying or not being able to talk, etc.
As autism has multiple symptoms and the patterns can vary from person to person, no specific cause or source for this disorder has been identified. But one thing is certain: autism can be controlled and turned to one’s advantage with early intervention.
Speaking of autism, do you think your child has it? To find out, we bring you some signs and symptoms to spot in your child, as well as the next steps that you will have to take. Let’s get ahead.
Signs and Symptoms of Autism
Identifying autism symptoms is pretty difficult before a baby is at least 24 months old. But usually, the symptoms start showing up between 12 and 18 months. If it is spotted at the earliest, one can change the child’s development rapidly with intense treatment. Here are some early signs that you need to watch out for.
Signs in Babies and Toddlers
- Struggles to make eye contact when you talk to them or feed them
- Won’t smile back or smile at anything
- Won’t give a response when their name is called out
- When you point to something, it’s difficult to follow your hand gesture.
- Struggles to make any noise to grab your attention
- They do not express many facial expressions.
- They do not reciprocate when somebody plays with them
- They fail to recognize or express their feelings of pain.
- They don’t use any words at all, they don’t even make sounds like “ma”
Signs in Older Children
- They don’t feel interested in or even aware of the people around them.
- Finding friends and connecting with them will be difficult
- They dislike being touched or called
- Group activities do not entertain them; they wish to be alone
- When they talk, they don’t listen to each other, and they don’t understand emotions.
- They feel detached and dislike sharing
- They quickly move on to another activity before completing the previous one.
- They display clumsy behaviours.
- They jumble up words and make grammatical errors
- They face difficulty in asking what they want or need
- Simple statements, questions, and such do not reach them.
- They strangely become attached to certain toys or objects and have tantrums if those objects are removed.
- Staring at a particular object for a long time.
- Repetitive actions, such as clapping hands all the time, can occur.
- They speak in an odd tone or rhythm
- They keep repeating a particular word without any context
What Should You Do if Your Kid Has Autism?
If you’ve observed your child and they have shown signs, then immediately fix an appointment with a paediatrician. They will figure out whether your child is really on the spectrum or not. They will guide you through the next steps after they have gone through that.
Do Autism Screening
Thanks to inventions, there are many reliable screening tools that identify children on the autism spectrum. These tools help you figure out your child’s symptoms in a simple way. Your child’s paediatrician will be notified and must also be notified by the doctor who screens your child for records and further treatments.
Look for a Specialist
Employing a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation will be beneficial for autism confirmation. While autism screening is reliable, the former evaluation will confirm your child’s health status so you can proceed with the diagnosis. A developmental specialist can assess your child and determine whether or not they are autistic in order to determine the appropriate interventions.
Early Interventions
When a child’s condition is treated when they’re young, it’s not just health-effective but also cost-effective. As per research, it was found that early interventions have a huge effect on cost as the more the child grows, the more expensive the treatments will be. Moreover, developmental delays can also be shortened with early treatments.
Final Thoughts
Autism isn’t curable, but it is controllable. On the other hand, with proper treatment, your child will be able to live a normal life like any other child. Remember never to follow the “wait and see” approach; if you find even a single sign of ASD in your child, immediately contact your child’s paediatrician. Early interventions can make countless changes in your child’s behaviour, so always look out for the signs.
Also read: Do You Feel Your Husband is Cheating: 5 Strong Signs