Thursday, May 20, 2010

Autism in Babies - Signs That Your Baby is Autistic

Several years ago, autism can only be recognized in children as early as 18 to 24 months of age. But today, after several studies and observations, we can now recognize the earlier signs of autism in babies. Signs include having an unusual eye contact, peculiarities of hearing, and social development and play.

The word "autism" is derived from the Greek word "autos" which means "self", and it affects the way children view others in relation to themselves. This is why autistic children can be best described as "having their own world". They want to play and be alone, do not want to be touched or hugged, and have problems interacting with others.

Autism is a pervasive disorder which affects multiple areas of functioning. ASD affects children differently - in their cognitive ability, in their IQ, in developing communications skills, in their relationship with others even with their own parents, and so many more.

Although there are still debates about the causes of autism, experts believe that the earlier autistic children receive treatment, the better the outcome is likely to be. Early intervention makes a huge difference in the battle against autism in babies. Signs of autism must be carefully observed and seek immediate help if you spot them in your child. Instead of playing the wait-and-see game, parents must be vigilant in observing the development of their child. This will greatly contribute in enhancing the quality of life of children.

Researchers and experts are now claiming that they can recognize autism as young as 6 months old or even earlier in some cases. The good thing about this is that new and earlier treatment for autism can then be developed and it can make a huge difference in the child's future.

Here are the red flags of autism in babies - signs that your baby is autistic:

Eye Contact - Having an unusual gaze or in making an eye contact is a very common sing of autism in babies. Signs of disinterest with other people and the environment can also be observed.

Hearing - Autistic babies respond less when called upon compared to normal developing babies. They are also not affected by any audible changes in the surroundings. Hence, most autistic babies are initially suspected of being deaf.

Social Development and Play - Autistic babies may show lack of interest in the types of play that other infants enjoy, even those which involve social interaction with the parents.

Because these early signs can vary in severity and symptoms, they may go unrecognized. Therefore, parents must be careful in observing the behavior of autism in babies. Signs of autism can also be a sign of other disorders.

Also, according to one research, a child who has an older brother or sister diagnosed with autism is more likely to be autistic as well. Parents may notice that their child's physical development is different from others. Having a larger than the normal head circumference is said to be an indication of autism in babies. Signs of having unusual facial expressions and gestures can also be noted.

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability and is now the third most common childhood disorder. Parents should educate themselves about the disorder to give their child a brighter future. Understanding more about the different autism spectrum disorders will help you understand the condition of your child. Visit AUTISM IN BABIES and learn more about the top 3 books online about autism.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Ezail_Travis

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