Signs of Autism in Infants and Toddlers

Autism is something that is attracting more attention because no one knows what is causing it and it is affecting children. However, doctors now know that if it is handled early enough, the better the chances are for the child who has autism. Infants may display some symptoms of autism as long as you know what the signs of autism in infants are. Signs are not always the same in every infant however the same symptoms are present in infants with autism.

Early signs of autism in infants include no communication. When a child is just a few months old, one of the first few milestones include babbling and cooing. However, if your child doesn't coo and babble like they should you may want to talk to the doctor. It may just mean that your child is slower at this developmental milestone and nothing needs to be done. Sometimes children coo and babble at a different age and that is okay. However, if the doctor seems to think that it is something to worry about or if your baby doesn't coo or babble by the age of two then he or she may have autism.

Other sings of autism in infants include socialization. Most infants love to sit and watch other infants. Eventually they will learn to play together and this is normal infant behavior however if your infant seems to be more withdrawn and doesn't seem interested in playing with other children then you may want to talk to their doctor. Again, it may just be a normal milestone that hasn't yet developed but making your doctor aware of these things and be the difference in early autism detection.

Yet other signs of autism in infants may include the reaction of others. One of the first milestones that mommy remembers the most is looking at her infant and smiling and seeing the baby smile back at her. However when a child has autism the baby doesn't smile back. Other signs of autism in infants include not reacting to others around them, almost like they are blocking others out. Voice tones are also something that an infant with autism will notice. A child cannot stand loud events or crowds and you may not realize it until your infant is in a crowd of people. Everyone loves babies and always comes over to talk to them, smile at them, or grab their hands. An autistic infant cannot handle this.

Regression is another sign of autism in infants. If your infant has already started babbling and cooing, and if they start saying a few words, playing games such as peek-a-boo, or loves to smile at you and then suddenly stops, you need to contact your doctor immediately as these are sure signs of autism in infants. Getting treatment now will help you manage their autism and always be in control of it. As they grow you will see changes in your child too and you will need to adjust to these changes as they have.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula please visit www.childdevelopmentmedia.com.

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Is My Baby Autistic? Tips to Help You Answer This Question

This is the most common question that parents ask whenever they notice odd behaviors from their children. A lot of people assume that if their child fails to talk at the age or 2 or 3, he is autistic. This is a big misconception. There are numerous reasons as to why speech might be delayed in toddlers, and a lot of other reasons why some children are not hitting their milestones, but sadly, autism is one of them. It is comforting to know though, that talking late in toddlers does not automatically mean that your child is autistic.

Autism is a disorder that lasts a lifetime. It is referred to as a developmental disorder because symptoms normally manifest before a child reaches the age of 3 which is a critical period of development. It then causes concerns in the child's development, learning and growth. When a child has autism, the areas that are affected normally concerns delayed skills in the following:

- Sensory - the way a child receives and process information with the use of his senses, namely; the sense of sight, taste, movement, touch, hearing, and taste.

- Cognitive - the manner in which a child learns and thinks.

- Social Interaction - the manner in which a child interacts or relates to others.

- Motor - the manner in which a child moves his body.

- Language - the manner in which a child comprehends and makes use of gestures and words.

Here is a list of concerns observed among toddlers and young children with autism spectrum disorder. This list is derived from a number of sources:

- Does not follow directions given.

- Seems to hear you at times, but is not consistent.

- Does not respond to his name at all times.

- Used to make attempts to talk, but suddenly stops.

- Throws severe tantrums.

- Manifests strange movement patterns like flapping arms, more so when excited.

- Doesn't smile in return.

- Avoids eye contact. The child seems to look past you.

- Normally doesn't cooperate when asked to do daily chores/routines.

- Is hyper most of the time.

- Prefers to play alone.

- Is an extremely picky eater. May only prefer to eat 4 different foods.

- Mimics what he hears instead of using his own words.

- Spends a lot of time putting things in a row, lining things up and gets very distressed when interrupted.

- Has a great attachment to toys or objects.

If your child has these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean that he/she is autistic. Make time to discuss your child's signs with a healthcare provider. Finally decide if an intensive assessment is needed.

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The Warning Signs of Autism in Infants

Although the exact cause of Autism still remains somewhat of a mystery, most doctors and other health professionals that there is some type of genetic link between the disorder and genetics. Additionally, there are other variables that are possible causes such as abnormalities with the child's immune system and contributing environmental factors.

Although the cause of the disorder remains unknown or speculative at best, major medical advancements have been made in the past decade where the management of treatment of the disorder are concerned. However, most medical professionals agree that the best course of action is early intervention and diagnosis.

Autism's early warning signs and symptoms

The following information has resulted from a number of different studies that were conducted in order to discover some of the early warning signs and symptoms of Autism in the infancy stage of the child's life. The following are what you should look for and by what age these should be apparent:

- the absence of smiling or other positive facial expressions by 6 months of age

- failing to exchange smiles and sounds with others by 9 months of age

- the inability to babble, wave, point and/or reach for different objects,, by 12 months of age

- the lack of or total absence of any vocabulary development by 16 months of age

- the inability to create basic two-word phrases by 24 months of age

- a regression of communicative, social, and speech skills at any age

There may also be noticeably, severe sensory issues during their infancy that you should look for such as an abnormal reaction to certain sounds or tastes and touching.

Early intervention and treatment

If these signs or symptoms mentioned in the preceding section appear early on, you don't want to delay or procrastinate about this. You should talk with your pediatrician and maybe even a neurologist or psychiatrist/psychologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Autism. While the infant is being observed, the parents will most likely be interviewed to see if the diagnosis of Autism is accurate. The doctor may also order for the infant to receive a hearing test and an MRI.

Additionally, if there are communication, language, and social issues that are apparent, the doctor may also recommend a speech pathology evaluation. Once all of these variables have been evaluated, clinicians and other doctors may get involved in order to develop some type of educational intervention program for the afflicted infant. The most important treatment for Autism involves teaching the infant or the child how to communicate and interact socially successfully with others around them.

Beware of the misconceptions

No two children or infants are ever alike in the manner that Autism affects them. Symptoms of the disorder can range from mild or slight to extremely severe. The common misconception to be aware of is that every child or infant with Autism does not display any emotional response such as smiling at others. For instance, this may not be an issue whereas other children may smile but have serious linguistic or sensory issues.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula on ADHD children please visit childdevelopmentmedia.com.

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How to Recognize Autism Symptoms in Infants

Many think that you can't see any autism symptoms in infants, but that is simply not true. It is certainly more difficult to see autism symptoms in infants, but research and science has developed to a point now where there are some markers, however faint, that can point in the direction of autism in infants.

It should be understood, though, that this is not an exact science, and not all symptoms that might be autism necessarily are autism. In other words, be aware but try not to panic.

How early can autism symptoms in infants be detected?

It is possible to see signs of autism between 12 and 18 months. It may be possible to help rewire the brain through early treatment if the signs are caught early enough. You are not necessarily looking for abnormal behaviors this young, just the absence of normal ones.

For example, many autistic infants will not respond to cuddling. They will seem to stiffen and shy away from your touch. They won't reach out to be picked up, and they won't look at you while they are being fed.

Other symptoms of autism in infants include:

• Not making eye contact
• Not smiling when someone looks at them
• Not responding to their name or a familiar voice
• Not following objects visually

Lack of Hand Gestures is an Important Signal

More symptoms include not pointing, waving goodbye, or using other gestures to communicate. An infant with autism won't usually make noises to get attention (which is why many parents with an "easy baby" are later shocked to find out what they thought was being easy going was actually a symptom of autism). They won't imitate your movements or facial expressions.

Communications Symptoms to Look For

When they get a bit older, about the age when most kids start to talk, you might notice several differences in the way they communicate.

• They may speak in an abnormal tone of voice, or with an odd rhythm.
• They may switch pronouns, referring to themselves as "you" and to the other person as "I."
• They may answer questions by repeating the question, or refer to themselves in the third person.

Can I start autism treatment even at this young an age?

You may wonder if there is any way to give treatment to infants so young who are displaying signs of autism. It turns out that according to many researchers, the answer is yes.

One of the most primary elements that an infant can experience is the mother-child bond. If the child is not tuned in to this bond, so to speak, or is perhaps trying to avoid interacting with the mother because of sensory issues, they then could and most likely will miss out on important social development steps that come from this bond with the parent.

To improve and encourage this bond, you can alter the environment so it most promotes interactions such as eye contact and babbling. You need to make your baby feel as comfortable as possible. That means it has to be as quiet and sensory distraction free as possible (no mobiles hanging or bright lights.)

You should not panic if you suspect autism signs in your infant, but you should perhaps get them checked out just to be on the safe side.

Hopefully, with early identification and early treatment, life can be a little easier for those with autism and the people who love them. For additional tips and suggestions that can help your loved one live a fulfilling and happy life visit the AmericanAutismSociety.org. There you can sign up for their FREE newsletter with tips and info on autism.

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