Tuesday, March 19, 2024

How To Know If Baby Has Autism

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What Age Does Autism Usually Show Up

How Can You Tell if Your Child Has Autism?

The behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder often appear early in the childs development. Many children show symptoms of autism between 12 and 18 months of age or earlier, but in others autism may not become obvious until the age of 2 or 3 years. The age of diagnosis, as well as the range and severity of symptoms, can vary widely and so professional evaluation is critical.

Can Increasing Iron Intake Prevent Autism

A 2014 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that children born to iron-deficient mothers are five times more likely to develop autism. The risk increases when the mother is age 35 or older or has a metabolic condition such as obesity, high blood pressure or diabetes. Iron is crucial to fetal brain development, yet up to half of all pregnant women don’t get enough of it.

Researchers looked at the iron intake of close to 900 women during three critical stages: three months prior to becoming pregnant, throughout pregnancy and after delivery while breastfeeding. The mothers of children with autism were significantly less likely to take iron supplements before, during and/or after their pregnancies than the mothers whose children were developing typically.

This study is the first to examine the relationship between maternal iron intake and autism risk. To confirm a connection and the study’s validity, more researchers need to replicate the findings in larger research groups.

“While there’s no clear indication that iron deficiency during pregnancy causes autism, we know that iron is critical to the in utero development of a baby’s nervous system,” says Raphael Bernier, Ph.D., clinical director of the Autism Center at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

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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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Learn To Listen Without Your Ears

Learn to listen with your eyes. Having a delay in speech development or being nonverbal does not mean your child isnt communicating. Everything we do, even silence, is communication. The sooner you understand how your child communicates, the easier it will be to interact and respond to their language.

Speech therapy may focus on a number of aspects, including:

  • articulation
  • nonverbal communication
  • social pragmatics

Just remember: Everything your child does it trying to tell you something, so be sure to listen!

Is There A Link Between Gestational Diabetes And Autism

How Can I Tell If My Baby Is Autistic

An April 2015 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that mothers-to-be who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes by their 26th week of pregnancy are 63 percent more likely to have a child with autism. That means for every 1,000 women with gestational diabetes, seven of them may have a child with autism. Researchers speculate that in utero exposure to high blood sugar may affect a baby’s brain development and heighten the risk for developmental disorders.

Earlier studies also have shown a possible connection between high blood sugar during pregnancy and autism risk. The key factor may be how high blood sugar levels get. Interestingly, the JAMA study found that babies born to mothers who had type 2 diabetes before getting pregnant didn’t have a higher risk of autism, perhaps because the women were taking medication to control their blood sugar levels.

Gestational diabetes poses a number of problems for infants, including preterm labor, large birth-weight and an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. Moms-to-be have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, preeclampsia and type 2 diabetes, as well. “All expectant women should strive to keep their blood sugar under control, regardless of these study findings,” says Dr. Wilms Floet.

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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.

Formalized Asd Assessment With The Dsm

To be formally diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder , your child needs to meet the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , published by the American Psychiatric Association. With autism spectrum disorder, your child must experience challenges with at least one of the two:

  • Challenges with communication and social interactions: Children with autism may have difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation. They may have difficulty reading social cues and engaging in play with other children.
  • Restricted and repetitive behavioral patterns: Children with autism may also engage in repetitive behaviors such as rocking their bodies or flapping their arms. They may have limited sensory processing to light, smells, and sounds.

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Checklists Of Autism Signs

Through its Learn the Signs. Act Early campaign, the CDC aims to raise awareness of the early signs of developmental delay, including autism. Through a series of milestone checklists, the CDC provides information on what most babies do at different ages and which signs parents should discuss with their childs doctor. Milestones are included for children 2 months to 5 years of age, reflecting a belief among researchers that even infants may show early autism signs.

Early signs of autism or other developmental delays include the following:

He Has Frequent Meltdowns

Does my child have autism?

Meltdowns can be part of the package with someone with ASD, and how they handle them is different from person to person. They usually happen after a buildup of tension or frustration and can come out of nowhere. They’re almost always purely emotional.

Emma Dalmayne, an adult on the spectrum and a mother of autistic children, says,”When you have a meltdown, it’s as if the world is ending. Everything is too much and you feel like overwhelming darkness has engulfed your very being. Irrepressible anger that may seem completely irrational to an outsider can be inwardly devastating us internally.”

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First Off Take A Deep Breath

A diagnosis of autism doesnt change who your child is or what they can accomplish. Research has grown exponentially over the past few decades, and there are always new treatment ideas and strategies being studied at colleges and research institutes across the country. Researchers have developed effective programs to help children with autism develop their communication, social skills, academics, motor skills, and vocational training so they can live long, healthy, productive lives. All of this starts with you, and the sooner it starts, the better.

How Does Autism Affect A Childs Social Skills

A child with ASD has a hard time interacting with others. Problems with social skills are some of the most common signs. They might want to have close relationships but not know how.

If your child is on the spectrum, they might show some social symptoms by the time they’re 8 to 10 months old, including:

  • They don’t respond to their name by their first birthday.
  • Playing, sharing, or talking with other people donât interest them.
  • They prefer to be alone.
  • They avoid or reject physical contact, including hugging.
  • They avoid eye contact.
  • When theyâre upset, they donât like to be comforted.
  • They donât understand emotions — their own or othersâ.
  • They may not stretch out their arms to be picked up or guided with walking.

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Engage In Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied behavior analysis, or ABA, is one of the most researched and most widely accepted forms of behavior therapy for children with autism. There are many strong proponents of ABA, citing its empirical base. ABA practitioners believe that behavior is a function of a environment. By manipulating the environment around a child, we can provide the structure to help them learn and develop new skills.

Another popular therapy for social and behavioral skills is FloorTime, which involves child-directed, play-based therapy.

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How to Tell If Your Child May Have Autism

It’s not your fault. It’s just something that he has to do.

Intuitive Facilitator Joseph Stasaitis says, “I have found autistic folks to be quite empathetic. They may not express or exhibit their emotions freely, but this can be misinterpreted as not caring. The autistic person may then very well withdraw to keep safe. Although craving love and intimacy they tend to lack the ability to pick up on social cues.”

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Other Signs Of Autism

Another sign of child autism is not playing socially with other children. They may also exhibit a lack of empathy for others along and withdraw from social situations.

A child with autism may also exhibit the following signs:

  • Unusual body posturing or facial expressions
  • Use an unusual tone of voice
  • Avoid eye contact or have poor eye contact with others
  • Experience behavioral disturbances

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Signs Of Autism In Infants

Its important to note that every baby is unique and their symptoms or development may be different than whats listed here below. Its always best to consult your pediatrician or find a pediatric specialist in development to discuss any abnormal or odd habits that your baby is showing that could be signs of autism in infants.

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Don’t Be Afraid Learn The 16 Early Signs Of Autism

“It’s going to be a problem eventually that you will have to deal with. Don’t be afraind. Don’t let that stop you from helping your child.” Jacobi’s mom

Go to BabyNavigator.com to find tools and resources on what every parents needs to know about early learning. Because, what you do and say can make all the difference.

He Consistently Forgets Important Dates

Early Signs of Autism Video Tutorial | Kennedy Krieger Institute

For someone on the spectrum, they may not understand why there’s so much importance placed on certain dates. If they want to celebrate or buy a gift, they can do it any time they want, not because a specific date tells them they’re supposed to.

Myles says, “If birthdays, anniversaries, or other important events are overlooked or forgotten, try not to take it personally.”

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What Can Mimic Autism

Developmental delays such as language, speech, or hearing problems can often be mistaken for autism. There are also a number of specific disorders that are characterized by similar behavioral symptoms to autism. According to the Autism Research Institute, Williams Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, and Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, are all closely related to autism.

How Do You Know If Your Child Has Autism Spectrum Disorder

ASD can be hard to diagnose. Theres no medical test, like a blood test, to check for ASD. No two children with ASD have the exact same signs or symptoms. Providers diagnose ASD by looking at your childs behavior and development.

Children with ASD usually show signs or symptoms when theyre 12 to 24 months old, but some may have them earlier or later. Some children with ASD develop normally until theyre around 18 to 24 months old, but then they stop gaining new skills or lose the skills they once had. This is called regression.

Babies may show signs of ASD before their first birthday if they have severe developmental delays. Developmental delays are when your child doesnt reach developmental milestones when expected. A developmental milestone is a skill or activity that most children can do at a certain age. Milestones include sitting, walking, talking, having social skills and having thinking skills.

Tell your babys health care provider if she isnt meeting her milestones. Its not unusual for a healthy baby to fall behind in some areas or move ahead in others. But babies who dont meet these milestones need their development checked more closely by a provider:

  • Babbling by 12 months
  • Making gestures by 12 months
  • Using single words by 16 months
  • Using two-word phrases by 24 months
  • Losing language or social skills at any age

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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.

He Has Unusual Physical Behaviors

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Some of the classic indicators of ASD are repetitive speech, physical tics, and looking anywhere else besides a person’s eyes when speaking with them. People on the spectrum may exhibit unusual behavior due to difficulties they have in responding to their environment.

Behaviors may include unusually tense or focused interests, stereotyped and repetitive body movements such as hand flapping and spinning, repetitive use of objects such as flipping lights on and off, insistence on sticking to routines, unusual sensory interests such as sniffing objects, and sensory sensitivities including avoidance of everyday sounds.

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Behaviour: Early Signs Of Autism

Repetitive and restricted interests If young children are autistic, they might:

  • have an intense interest in certain objects and get stuck on particular toys or objects for example, theyll flick the light switch off and on repeatedly, or play only with cars or dolls
  • interact with toys and objects in limited ways for example, they might mainly spin the wheels of a toy car rather than pretending to drive the car along the floor, or take the clothes on and off a doll repeatedly
  • be very interested in certain objects or activities and get upset if they cant do that activity for example, watching the same TV show over and over
  • focus narrowly on objects and activities, like lining up objects or putting toys into a pile.

RoutinesIf young children are autistic, they might be easily upset by change and need to follow routines. For example, they might need to follow the same route to child care or a grandparents house every time.

Repetitive movementsIf young children are autistic, they might repeat body movements or have unusual body movements, like back-arching, hand-flapping, arm-stiffening and walking on the tips of their toes.

Sensory sensitivitiesIf young children are autistic, they might:

If youd like to check your childs behaviour and development for early signs of autism, you can download ASDetect a free, evidence-based, app developed by La Trobe University and suitable for use with children aged 11-30 months.

If You Suspect Signs Of Autism In Infants

During your childs development, its helpful to keep a notebook to jot down events, milestones, and unusual things you may witness during their development. This is a great way of keeping a log of both memories, but also any potential issues that a medical professional might want to look into.

If youve read through all the signs of autism in infants and suspect your child may be in need of an assessment, please contact us to book an appointment. Our office proudly serves Texas families and residents just like you!

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My School And Neighborhood

Look around your school and neighborhood to see how many barriers need to be changed to help kids with autism to have the same opportunities to be friends and participate in activities just like kids without disabilities.

  • Do you have any kids in your school who have autism? If so, see if you can invite them to visit your class. Try to be a friend and play with them on the playground.
  • You can show that you support efforts to learn more about autism spectrum disorders by wearing a ribbon that represents this cause. Find out where you might get some ribbons for you and your classmates to display. Autism Awareness month is celebrated in April each year.
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