What Should You Know
Autism spectrum disorder is a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. CDC estimates that an average of 1 in 44 children in the U.S. has ASD or autism. Lets learn more
Follow the 8 steps below for your Web Quest.
Step 1: See what you think about kids with autism. Take the Fact Checkup!
Step 2: Think about some questions to ask. Lets see
Step 3: Check out some quick facts.
Step 4: Check out some great websites to help you learn more.
Step 5: Find out about people who have been diagnosed with autism to help with your Quest.
Step 6: Learn about movies and books that can give you information.
Step 7: Check out your school and neighborhood.
Step 8: Now see if your attitudes have changed. Take the Fact Checkup again.
Signs Of Autism In Infants And Babies
It’s easy to understand why one of the biggest fears many parents have is that their child will develop autism spectrum disorder . For one thing, the number of kids diagnosed with ASD has been steadily increasing.
In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that one in 68 children had been diagnosed with ASD in 2000, the incidence was one in 150. Some experts believe the rise in cases of ASD reflects a growing understanding of what the disorder looks like, as well as changes in criteria for diagnosing it, making it easier to diagnose existing cases of ASD rather than a brewing epidemic.
But even if autism isn’t “really” on the rise, the prospect of dealing with the array of challenges a child with autism faces is daunting. If you’re a parent who’s worried your child is showing signs of autism, or who simply want to make sure you know what to look out for in the future, it’s helpful to become familiar with what the early signs of autism are.
In general, if a baby is growing and developing normally, having just one sign or behavior associated with ASD probably doesn’t mean she has autism. It’s more important to pay attention to how she’s progressing and whether she’s meeting the developmental milestones that are expected at her age.
What Are The Red Flags Heres A Shortlist:
If you notice some things about your child till 24 months of age, you can talk to your doctor or other health professionals with a professional doctor or physiotherapist.
- Your child is not able to use a thumb and pointer finger to take small items.
- Your child does not point to things using his pointing finger .
- Your child is not able to put things in containers.
- Your child is not able to use both hands while playing .
- Your childs move looks unstable or tough.
In Babies
- Slow to smile or laugh
- Resists cuddling or holding
- Doesnt point at objects a dog, Such as to show interest
- Avoids eye contact
In Toddlers and Preschoolers
- Prefers to play alone
- Doesnt understand feelings in other people
- Doesnt speak or speaks with an unusual rhythm or tone
- Gives unrelated answers to questions
- Appears to ignore you when you ask anything
- Repeats certain words or phrases constantly
- Throws usual temper in response to minor changes in routine intentionally
- Has unusual food preferences
If you need more information or you have a question regarding Autism in Babies, you can discuss it with our HearingSol healthcare professionals, just give us a call on +91-9899437202. We are always here to help you.
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How Do You Talk With Your Child About Their Autism Diagnosis
It can be hard to decide what and how much information to share when talking to your child about their autism diagnosis. Setting a positive tone when discussing autism spectrum disorder and making sure you understand what your child is truly asking is very important. Establish a positive attitude about their differences from the outset, then answer their questions simply and honestly. If your child is of reading age, you may want to consider finding some childrens books on the topic of autism spectrum disorder to read with them.
Reduced Emotion In Facial Expressions
Facial expressions are a nonverbal way to communicate thoughts and feelings.
Research on emotional expression in autistic infants is limited, but in studies involving school-age children, researchers have found that autistic children display less emotion through facial expressions than children with nonautistic development.
That doesnt necessarily mean autistic children are feeling less emotion, just that less of it shows on their faces when they do.
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How Do You Know If Your Child Has Autism
If you Google symptoms of autism, youll likely find hundreds of websites and articles that will give you many different types of behaviors and developmental delays that could be an indication your child is on the autism spectrum. But how do you know if your child has autism spectrum disorder? The only way to know for sure is through a proper evaluation from a medical professional who specializes in child development.
Can Folic Acid Lower Autism Risk
A 2011 Epidemiology study found that taking prenatal vitamins three months before conception and during at least the first month of pregnancy halves a child’s autism risk. Women with a strong genetic link to the disorder who didn’t take vitamins were up to seven times more likely to have a child with autism. Additional studies suggest high levels of folic acid, a B vitamin important for brain development, are key.
All women of childbearing age should get between 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid every day. Most women get about 150 mcg of daily folic acid from fortified foods such as breads and cereal.
A 2012 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study suggests that women need at least four times that amount — 600 mcg — to lower autism risk. Check your vitamin’s nutrient label, and if necessary, discuss upping your folic acid intake with your doctor, and add more foods rich in folate to your diet.
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How Does Autism Affect Communication
About 40% of kids with autism spectrum disorders donât talk at all, and between 25% and 30% develop some language skills during infancy but then lose them later. Some children with ASD start talking later in life.
Most have some problems with communication, including:
- Delayed speech and language skills
- Flat, robotic speaking voice, or singsong voice
- Echolalia
- Problems with pronouns
- Not using or rarely using common gestures , and not responding to them
- Inability to stay on topic when talking or answering questions
- Not recognizing sarcasm or joking
- Trouble expressing needs and emotions
- Not getting signals from body language, tone of voice, and expressions
Center For Disease Control: Learn The Signs Act Early Campaign
The Autism Science Foundation is a partner in the CDCs Learn the Signs, Act Early Campaign. The following early indicators of autism were developed by the experts in this program.
Get a PDF of these early warning signs. Also, read more about the importance of early diagnosis.
If your child is two months old, you should consider talking to your doctor if your child exhibits the following behavior:
- Doesnt respond to loud sounds
- Doesnt watch things as they move
- Doesnt smile at people
- Doesnt bring his/her hands to mouth
- Cant hold his/her head up when pushing up on tummy
If your child is four months old, you should consider talking to your doctor if your child exhibits the following behavior:
- Doesnt watch things as they move
- Doesnt smile at people
- Cant hold his/her head steady
- Doesnt make sounds or coo
- Doesnt bring things to his/her mouth
- Doesnt push down with legs when feet are placed on a hard surface
- Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions
If your child is six months old, you should consider talking to your doctor if your child exhibits the following behavior:
- Doesnt reach for things
- Shows no affection for caregivers
- Doesnt respond to sounds around her/him
- Doesnt make vowel sounds
- Doesnt laugh or squeal
- Seems unusually stiff or unusually floppy
If your child is nine months old, you should consider talking to your doctor if your child exhibits the following behavior:
If you of autism in older children, teens and adults:
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How Do I Know If My Child Needs To Be Tested For Aspergers
Typically, by the time a child is three, a parent will start noticing behavioral differences when compared to other children, says John Carosso, PsyD, a child psychologist and certified school psychologist at Community Psychiatric Centers at the Autism Center of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They may see their child among other children and sense their child is different, he says. A child with Aspergers tends to get into frequent conflicts with other children. They are very emotional compared to other kids and may have obsessions that other kids dont have.
If your child is having a very difficult time in a school setting or displaying explosive behavior at home, seek an evaluation, advises Eric Hollander, MD, director of the Autism and Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Program in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. Children with Aspergers often have strong verbal skills yet deficits in non-verbal skills, he says.
If your child is having trouble dressing herself by age five or problems with motor coordination, and difficulty drawing a box, you may want to look into getting her tested, Dr. Hollander says. Other noticeable symptoms to look for include hand flapping, repetitive head banging, temper tantrums, and avoiding other children, he says.
Communication: Early Signs Of Autism
In the first year of life, childrens social and communication development is an important area to watch for early signs of autism. Social and communication development includes things like learning to smile, make eye contact, and use gestures.
Social interaction and communicationIf young children are autistic, they might:
- not consistently use eye contact to get someones attention for example, they might not always look at you and then at a snack to show you they want it, or not look back towards you when they see something that excites them
- rarely point to or hold up objects to show you things for example, they might not point to a dog and look back at you to make sure youve seen it too, or they might drop a toy in your lap and walk away instead of holding it up and looking at you
- not consistently respond to their name being called
- not consistently use gestures on their own for example, they might not wave bye-bye or clap without being told to, or without copying someone else whos waving or clapping
- not consistently smile at you or other familiar people without you smiling at them first
- rarely copy other peoples actions, like combing their hair when you do it
- not sound like theyre having a conversation with you when they babble
- not understand simple, one-step instructions for example, Give me the block or Show me the dog.
Relationships and playIf young children are autistic, they might:
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So How Do You Tell The Difference
When it comes to the way a child communicates with others, there are a few subtle differences between shyness and autism.
Generally, even though shy children typically avoid eye contact with strangers, they will look to their parent or caregiver for support. Also, a shy child may warm up eventually. That is, after watching the action from the sidelines for a while, they will join in with others at playgroup or in the park. Over time, they may open up to more people and show more confidence in new situations.
A child with autism, on the other hand, may not warm up even after spending a lot of time with others. Generally, they prefer to play alone. Also, a child with autism probably wont look to their parent for support in new situations they may not like eye contact even with those closest to them.
Check For Physical Issues
Few people with severe autism are able to describe physical symptoms or problems. So, it’s a good idea to regularly check for physical things that may be exacerbating problem behaviors.
It’s not uncommon, for example, to discover that a child’s apparently aggressive behavior is actually a response to severe gastrointestinal pain. That pain may go away with the right dietary changes.
Once the pain is gone, they usually find it much easier to relax, engage, learn, and behave appropriately.
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Early Signs Of Autism In Boys
Autism is seen more prevalently in boys than in girls. Therefore, the core symptoms mostly coincide with the symptoms we have mentioned to be seen in children with autism in all ages.
Here are some of the early symptoms in autistic boys:
- Doesnt make eye contact
- Has repetitive behaviors
- Doesnt like physical contact
Differences Between Mild And Severe Symptoms
Autism disorders fall along a spectrum of mild to severe. Some children with ASD have advanced learning and problem-solving skills, while others require daily living assistance.
According to the American Psychiatric Associations diagnostic criteria, there are three levels of autism that are defined by how much support a person requires.
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Can An Epidural Increase Autism Risk
A 2014 French study conducted on mice and published in the journal Science suggests that the use of spinal anesthesia during labor results in higher concentrations of chloride or salt in the brains of newborn mice. The authors hypothesize that this may increase the risk of autism in humans.
High chloride levels are essential to a baby’s brain development while in utero. During labor and delivery, a baby is exposed to oxytocin, the hormone that brings on contractions. Oxytocin acts as a diuretic and naturally lowers an infant’s chloride levels. Researchers believe epidurals may interfere with the release of oxytocin causing chloride levels to remain high after birth.
The study seems to support earlier findings from a 2012 clinical trial of 60 children with autism who saw some improvements in their behaviors after taking a diuretic that lowered their chloride levels. However, the Science study on epidurals and chloride was conducted solely on mice. While animal studies are important, the findings don’t always translate to people.
“For one thing, animals don’t have symptoms of autism in the same way that people do,” says Susan Hyman, M.D., division chief of neurodevelopmental and behavioral pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York and chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council of Children with Disabilities Autism Subcommittee.
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What Early Signs Of Autism Should I Watch For In My Child
While the causes of autism remain mysterious, the early signs of autism don’t come out of nowhere. Most parents of autistic children recognize language delays at around 18 months of age. In fact, there are a few red flags that parents can look out for in their child much earlier than that. The American Academy of Pediatrics says some subtle, early signs of autism to look for before baby is 12 to 18 months old include:
- Your child doesn’t turn when you say his or her name by 12 months
- Your child doesn’t turn to look when you point and say, “Look at”
- Your child doesn’t point to show you interesting objects or events
- Your child doesn’t engage in back-and-forth baby babbling
- Delay in smiling and laughing
- Your child doesn’t make and keep eye contact with people
Other early signs of autism that warrant evaluation by your pediatrician include the following :
- No babbling, pointing or other gestures by 12 months
- No single words by 16 months
- No two-word spontaneous phrases by 24 months
- Loss of language or social skills at any age
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Can Reducing Your Exposure To Air Pollution Help
“Perhaps the most convincing and consistent environmental association with autism risk to date is pregnancy exposure to air pollution,” says Dr. Fallin. Multiple studies have shown this connection: One by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that the risk doubled for children born to women exposed to high levels of pollution, particularly in the third trimester. The higher the levels of exposure, the greater the risk.
However, that’s just part of the story.
“The challenge has become understanding what component of air pollution may be relevant, as this implicates hundreds of chemicals from multiple sources,” explains Dr. Fallin. In general, the American Lung Association recommends several ways to protect yourself from air pollution: for instance, fill your gas tank up after dark, exercise away from highly-trafficked areas and, when pollution levels are high, take your workout indoors. You can check out your daily air quality levels at www.airnow.gov.
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What Are The Causes Of Autism
Experts donât fully understand all of the causes of autism spectrum disorder. It seems to be genetic, but things such as parental age and prescription medications taken during pregnancy may be involved.
For instance:
- A person is more likely to be on the spectrum if a brother, sister, or parent is. But it doesnât always run in families.
- About 10% of kids with ASD have a form of genetic disorder such as Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome.
- A large Danish study found a link between ASD and advanced parental age of either parent.
- Women prescribed opioids just before pregnancy are likelier to have a child with ASD.
Some children who are on the spectrum start showing signs as young as a few months old. Others seem to have normal development for the first few months or years of their lives and then they start showing symptoms.
But up to half of parents of children with ASD noticed issues by the time their child reached 12 months, and between 80% and 90% noticed problems by 2 years. Children with ASD will have symptoms throughout their lives, but itâs possible for them to get better as they get older.
The autism spectrum is very wide. Some people might have very noticeable issues, others might not. The common thread is differences in social skills, communication, and behavior compared with people who arenât on the spectrum.
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