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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Is Your Toddler Diagnosed Autistic?

Autism, High functioning Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Non Specific (PDDNOS) Which autism spectrum diagnosis has your child received?

I understand this is a very anxious time for you. You've found out your child has Autism, a developmental disorder which until recently you may never have even heard of. I know too, that like many other parents that when he was much younger, you felt something was wrong, but no-one would listen to you. They said you were over-anxious or a new parent and told you to wait and see. Well you waited, and this is how it turned out!

There is no blood test for Autism, no MRI scan. Diagnosis is through observation and parent interview using DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).

A diagnosis of autistic disorder is given when an individual displays 6 or more of 12 symptoms listed across three major areas

• social interaction
• communication
• stereotypical behaviour

When a child display similar behaviours but does not fully meet the specific criteria for autism, they may receive a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder-NOS (PDD not otherwise specified).

Back in 2003 Ned Bachelder, the father of an autistic son wrote this:

'I'm not going to claim that having an autistic child is a wonderful, life-affirming experience, that every day is a new beginning, that it makes me feel more alive. On the whole, it is a wearying, grinding, frustrating experience. It means constantly re-evaluating possibilities, (usually) lowering expectations, and planning for the worst.'

I hope it doesn't have to be like that for much longer. Autism is diagnosed earlier now, thanks to increased public awareness by parents like Ned and amazing charities set up to fight for the cause. It may be no consolation for you however to have become part of the statistics of 1 in 110 children who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Especially when scientists appear no nearer to finding a cure.

Now you have your diagnosis, you have the answer to your question 'what is wrong with my child.' If not right now, then very soon you will likely be asking 'What can I do about it?'

Early intervention has been shown to be effective. Every child with autism is different, but often display delay in gross and fine motor skills, attention, speech and language, and self-help skills. Parents report an awkward gait, difficulty mastering stairs, and even a fear and hatred of cutlery as the child continues to finger feed into preschool years.

Many children on the autistic spectrum have problems with chewing and swallowing, are picky eaters and have a restricted diet due to their limited food preferences. They may have a high need for oral stimulation, chewing and mouthing objects long after their peers.

Early intervention does not have to break the bank There are a few simple things you can do right now with your child at home to promote gains for them in gross and fine motor skills, reduce 'stimming' behaviours and encourage communication.

Pauline Oliver
http://www.autism-toddler-program.com

Pauline is a Specialist Teacher, Coach and NLP Master practitioner. She has worked in teaching and learning, with families of children with a wide range of 'special needs.' It doesn't matter that their needs were sorted into different medical diagnoses. What matters is that each child is unique. If you're prepared to work with your child for a short period each day then I'd love to work with you. To be part of the 'Autism Toddler Program' please contact me via my site.

Visit my website at http://www.autism-toddler-program.com to find out more.

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Speech Therapy for Toddlers: Some Useful Facts

Is your child reluctant to speak and communicates only through gestures? Do you feel that he is not very expressive and beginning to withdraw into a shell? If you have even the vaguest suspicion that your child may have difficulty in expressing himself through words, you need to seek medical intervention.

The sooner a child is started on speech therapy, the better the chances of the child's communication skills and intellect developing rapidly. There is a growing body of evidence that there are a number of children who are just late doing stuff so there may not be a real concern unless the child is over ten months old when he should be able to mouth complete words and not just babble.

Experts believe that children whose parents spend quality time reading them stories, playing with them, and talking to them are the ones that will start to speak sooner and with a wider vocabulary. It is also believed that a child who is exposed to a lot of social interaction and whose conversations are taken seriously exhibits intellectual superiority over peers. If you suspect that your toddler may be having a speech disorder, you could try training your child to speak at home, which should normally set things straight.

Getting a toddler to do what you want them to do, is a very difficult proposition. Instead, try doing the things the toddler wants to do. Sit down with your child's toys and offer to play with him or her. Notice the toys that get preferential treatment and use those as an award. Keep some yummy treats handy, which you can give as soon as you get the correct response from your child.

Don't spend too much time trying to pull words out of your child's mouth. Remember that you may be able to hold the child's attention for a maximum of ten minutes so do not, at any cost, overstep that limit as that might make the child detest these 'speech' sessions. Always model the sound a word makes and bring the child's attention to it. If the child repeats the word correctly, offer the treat and make a big deal of his or her success.

If you are a new parent, remember it is never too early to start talking to your child. In fact, experts advise talking to the child and playing soothing music while it's still in the womb! The impact a parent has on a baby is immense so make the most of it and set aside time to talk to your child. Refrain from talking at your child and encourage every effort made by your child to communicate through words or gestures.

If your attempts at speech therapy are not very successful, your child may need a thorough medical check up by a pediatrician, an otolaryngologist, and an audiologist, to rule out other complications. Your child may also benefit with speech evaluation and therapeutic sessions with a professional speech pathologist.

Luchito Ruiz, a massage therapist by profession, loves writing on different topics. In this article, he writes about speech therapy for toddlers. If you would like to read more about dealing with speech disorders in children, visit Childrens Speech Therapist Melbourne and Speech Pathologist Melbourne.

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Autism Symptoms in Infants and Toddlers

Autism is a multifaceted brain disorder that influences a lot of aspects in a child's progress, which includes his social, motor and communication skills. The good news is, there are many ongoing studies which seek to understand autism. Experts say that early detection and treatment of autism is vital. There is increasing evidence that it's possible to detect autism in infants because early intervention can make a big difference in minimizing the symptoms and any other negative impact of the disorder, it is imperative for parents to understand autism's signs and symptoms.

The symptoms of autism are normally noticeable by 18 to 36 months, and other mild symptoms may be apparent earlier than that; even during infancy. Therefore, parents should closely monitor or track their child's progress. If the symptoms are identified by 12 months of age or earlier, rigorous treatment may reverse the signs.

Symptoms at the onset are easier to overlook primarily because it entails the lack of normal behaviors; and not the existence of abnormal ones. For instance, most babies with autism normally don't reach out to get toys, or make signals to get your attention. Most parents misinterpret autism symptoms as signs of being a "good baby," because the baby is withdrawn and is not demanding. True, a baby with those characteristics are easy to take care of, but these signs are some of the warnings that parents should be vigilant of.

What exactly are symptoms that parents should look out for?

Here are some warning signs that you should watch for to ensure that your child is developing at a normal rate:

• One of the first signs of autism is if the baby does not look, make eye contact, or turn after hearing their name.
• If the baby doesn't smile in response.
• If the baby doesn't mimic what you're doing.
• If the baby doesn't make attempts to talk (gibberish, babbling)
• If the baby is not visually attracted to things.

Here are signs to watch out for toddlers:

• If the child is having difficulty communicating his needs.
• If the child suddenly stops to make attempts to talk.
• If the child has trouble developing his language skills.

It's normal for a parent to become worried once they see their child manifest these symptoms. If you have observed these signs from your infant or toddler, it's prudent for you to make an appointment with your health provider. Actually, it's best if you'll have your child undergo screening even though he seems to develop normally.

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For a very helpful resource see autism symptoms.

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Autism Treatment for Toddlers - Why Is My Toddler With Autism So Agitated?

If you've just received a diagnosis of autism in your child, then you know that autism treatment for toddlers is of the utmost importance. You are also most likely plenty scared about what will follow, and what you can do to help your child. Don't worry, that is a natural reaction. There are plenty of therapists, doctors and other parents that will be able to help you along your journey.

Sensory Integration Therapy

One kind of therapy that can be very useful in the treatment of autism in toddlers is sensory integration therapy. You see, most kids with autism have sensory issues - they will scream in agony if something is too loud, tastes bad, has an unpleasant texture, or is too busy or uncomfortable visually. We use the 5 senses to take in all our information about the world.

Toddlers with autism, however, receive sensory information 100 times stronger than we do. Everything is magnified for them. This is one reason that your autistic toddler can often seem so agitated.

Avoid Sensory Overwhelm

So what can you do? Well, for starters, try to avoid crowded places if you can. Don't take your toddler with autism to movies, plays or restaurants, as the noise and commotion will most likely be too much for them. Be aware if they have a tantrum, it might be something sensory related, like their shirt is too scratchy, their clothing is too tight, or something your baby hears is too loud for them.

Music that you are playing in the room may be a source of agitation, or even the sound of a piece of paper in ripping in two can set some toddlers with sensitive hearing on edge. Wearing perfume or fragranced products can be an assault on the sensory system of your autistic toddler. It is a good idea to wash their clothes with unscented detergent and use unscented soaps for bath time.

When you live with a toddler with autism, you need to be aware of their sensory needs, among other things. Autism treatment for toddlers can be a tricky business, but it is not impossible.

Many parents worry, many times needlessly, about their toddlers and young children crying and having meltdowns. They do not realize that the solution is often straight forward and simple. Ensure that you focus on the sensory issues that surround your toddler. Ignoring this simple rule can make the difference between a happy and content child and one who is irritable and always upset.

Parents should learn as much as you can about sensory issues. Tips from other parents and professionals can be extremely helpful. A great site that has tips and suggestions for additional treatments is the AmericanAutismSociety.org. There you can sign up for their FREE newsletter with tips and info on autism.

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Autism Care For Toddlers

Many parents are frightened upon finding out that their child is autistic. The prospect of raising a child who has autism is intimidating, and having an autistic child is an exercise in patience, certainly. However, it can also be just as rewarding an experience for parents as raising a normal child. Toddlers at any age and of any abilities can be a challenge, but there are some great ways to make it easier on your child as well as yourself.

Do Some Research - With the internet, this is easier than ever. Don't let the internet be the end of your resources, though. While there are many websites and forums online for parents of autistic children - and it is helpful to join some of these to network with other parents - it's also important to pick up a few books. Keep in mind that all children are different and every method suggested will not work for every child.

Get to Know Your Toddler - Autism is not a disorder that is the same from person to person. It is called the 'autism spectrum' because severity and forms vary from minor symptoms to very significant problems. A professional diagnosis can give you an accurate idea of your child's position on the spectrum, but it is up to you to learn who your child is as a person. Keep a Diary This is more for record-keeping than for a sounding board. Write down everything from foods to reactions to certain colours, textures, and environments. You can learn a great deal about which things agitate or upset your child this way. Also make note of any new symptoms you notice. Having a record of symptoms and reactions to environmental factors can help when contacting your child's doctor, as well.

Stay Attentive - It is important to pay attention. Every parent knows this, but it is all the more important when caring for a child with autism because many don't understand or have the ability to express their feelings and emotions. Children who have autism can seem cold, standoffish, and indifferent even to their parents. Don't make the mistake of assuming that they do not have those feelings, though. Many toddlers who have profound autism are unable to hug and kiss their parents and find it distressing when forced to do so. Take your child's feelings into account when considering any activities.

Create a Routine - Routine is everything to an autistic child because it gives them feelings of safety and calm. Most are frustrated very easily by a small change in routine that seems like nothing at all to you. Try to arrange for naps, meals, playtime, and outings to occur at the same time each day. It can also be helpful to create routines for certain times of day, such as bedtime. Many children who have autism are very high-strung. By removing stimulation, such as foods and television, a couple of hours before bed and performing more calming activities can help get an autistic toddler to fall asleep.

Please click here for information on autism care.

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