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Early Signs of Autism In Children That You Need To Know

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

As we start our discussion on this topic, let us first understand what is Autism? It is referred to a disorder, which prevents the development of your child in a normal manner. If your child exhibits any of the below-mentioned observations, then it's time you start taking the help of a paediatrician or child development specialist.

Contents

Monitor your child’s development
Take action if you’re concerned
Don’t accept a wait-and-see approach
Trust your instincts
Signs and symptoms of Autism
Some developmental red flags that you need to look out for:

Early signs of Autism

As parents, we're sure you would want to understand the early signs of autism and become aware of the typical milestones your child should be reaching.

-If you observe that your child is not showing joyful expressions, or not being too warm by the time he reaches 6 months or so.

-If you also observe that there is no back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or even facial expressions by 9 months

-If you observe that your baby doesn’t babble as he completes a year

-If you observe that your baby doesn’t make gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months and there are no meaningful or two-word phrases from him.

If you feel any of these above-mentioned symptoms are highly visible in your baby, it states that he is suffering from autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Autism, if detected an early age, ideally by the age of eighteen months, makes a huge difference. Treatment can reduce the disorder’s effects and help your child grow. Let us try to expand and understand if you are able to detect the early signs or symptoms of Autism in your child, then how it would surely be beneficial for both.

As parents, you are the best observant for your child and can detect early signs of autism. At the time your doctor might not be able to understand all the traits, but you would be able to observe the same and share with your doctor.

Monitor your child’s development

Autism leads to developmental delays, hence observing your child on this front will help you determine the signs if any. Keep a track on their social, emotional, and cognitive milestones, as it will clearly indicate and effectively spot the problem. Even though developmental delays don’t always indicate autism, but surely indicate some risk towards the same.

Take action if you’re concerned

We all agree to the fact that not all fingers are the same, hence not all children follow the same growth pattern. So, don’t panic if your child is taking little more time to walk or talk, but surely keep an eye and observe if something is wrong or you suspect something. In such a case, don’t wait and share your concern immediately with your doctor.

Don’t accept a wait-and-see approach

It is highly recommended that you do not adopt a wait and watch approach because every second wasted is valuable. If you go for the wait and watch approach, you might be losing valuable time and reduce the scope of development in your child. At times, a developmental delay is caused due to other secondary problems and often kids are unlikely to grow out of their problems. In such cases, your child might look for extra help and targeted treatment.

Trust your instincts

Gut feeling or sixth sense at times is much stronger than your visible observations. Ideally, your doctor will take care of your concerns and start your diagnosis post evaluation of developmental delays in your child. However, if your gut-feeling does sense something, do not shy away from expressing and discussing your concerns. It is completely okay to go for a second suggestion.

Signs and symptoms of Autism

Autism can come in at infancy, and if detected early, the treatment can take full advantage of the brain’s plasticity. At times it is hard to diagnose autism before 24 months, and it takes around 12-18 months for it to surface, but intensive treatment may help to revive the brain and reverse the symptoms. The earliest symptom of autism as studied by researchers is the absence of normal behaviour and such traits, which would be difficult to spot and understand.

At times, a symptom of autism is misinterpreted as signs of a good baby! However, the symptoms can be detected if you have complete knowledge of autism and can interpret the signs.

For example, some babiees don’t even respond to cuddling or even look at their mothers when they are fed. For infants, look out for these signs:

 Not making any eye-contact even while being fed or cuddled, or not responding when being smiled at.

 Does not respond to people on hearing their names, or responding to familiar faces.

 Doesn’t follow objects visually or gestures when pointed out at.

 Doesn’t respond to gestures like good-bye or waving.

 Doesn’t make noise to get your attention.

 Doesn’t try to imitate movements or facial expressions.

 Doesn’t seem interested to play with other people for enjoyment.

 Doesn’t care if you hurt yourself or express discomfort.

Some developmental red flags that you need to look out for:

At 6 months – No big smiles, or warm, joyful expressions

At 9 months – No sharing of sounds, smiles or any other joyful expressions

At 12 months – Lack of response to name, no babbling or baby-talk, no response to gestures like reaching or waving

At 16 months – No spoken words

At 24 months – No meaningful phrases, doesn’t like imitating or repeating.

Hope this information shared with you will help you understand the early signs and symptoms of your child and help get proper care and treatment.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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