Dont Talk About Autism As A Negative Thing
When children are very small, people often think they dont understand what is being discussed around them. This may lead to other people bringing up their autism to you in front of them and painting it in a negative light, however unintentionally. Its important not to talk about autistic children as if they are not there, and as if they dont understand that you are talking about them. The last thing you want to do is give them the impression that having autism means there is something wrong with them. If other people want to discuss autism with you, ensure that you do it in a matter of fact way rather than making it seem like a difficulty.
You should also ensure that you dont blame all of their negative traits or problems they may have with school or other people on their autism. This will mean that they grow up thinking that autism is a terrible thing to be stuck with, rather than something which just makes you approach the world a bit differently. Make sure you spend time with your child explaining why autism is nothing to worry about and all the positives of being autistic. This will help them embrace their autistic behaviours and grow up knowing that its okay to be different.
Early Signs Of Autism In A 2 Year Old
If you feel like your 2-year-old doesnt seem to be catching up with their development milestones, you may start looking for certain signs of autism spectrum disorder for any delays.Mild symptoms can be mistaken for being shy or the terrible twos.
Here are some red flags that may indicate ASD:
- Doesnt speak more than 15 words,
- Cant walk ,
- Doesnt know functions of household items like fork,
- Doesnt imitate parents actions or words,
- Doesnt use items for their own purposes,
- Doesnt follow simple instructions
My Problem With Just Be Yourself
When I smile, make eye contact, and force my voice to inflect when socializing, I feel Im not being myself. This is just the front I was taught to put on by the student clinician from my universitys psychology clinic. Its not that I dont like the person to whom Im talking. Its just that social stimulation doesnt make me outwardly emote. Without the presence of anxiety, my emotional reflection is not nonexistentbut its less than that of the average person. Even when meeting celebrities, my starstruck feelings have only displayed once or twice.
After reading all this, Im sure you wouldnt believe that there was ever a time I would smile naturally and majorly. But according to my mom, I had an understanding of social situations until I was a few months short of turning two. From that point on, I apparently had no desire to interact with others. My brother has a similar story. The difference is in our language and cognitive levels.
For years, my parents wondered what they did wrong with their kids. Yet only one of us was tested for brain injury, followed by an Autism diagnosis, followed by a test for epilepsy, speech therapy, psychiatric medicine, and Special Ed at school. That kid wasnt me. Consequently, I had no answers for years when I wondered why I am how I am. This resulted in massive loneliness and no professional help.
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What Are The Signs Of Asd In Babies
Diagnosing ASD is challenging. One reason for this is that the condition presents differently in all individuals.
Babies can reach developmental milestones at slightly different ages, even when they do not have any health conditions. However, some developmental differences indicate that a baby may be autistic. These include:
What Are Some Early Signs Of Autism In Toddlers
When a baby becomes a toddler, various developmental differences, signs and symptoms may become more apparent with the growing age of the child.
During their first year, toddlers with autism spectrum disorder may not:
- like seeing new faces,
- may not be able to walk, or w__alk only on their toes__
- may find certain sounds, tastes and smells upsetting,
- may fall into repetitive movements, like flapping their hands.
These signs may be more noticeable compared to the signs presented early on. However, the majority of children with autism are not diagnosed before the age of two due to missed signs by caregivers, or lack of access to specialists.
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Noticing Early Warning Signs Of Autism
Everyone tells us not to compare our child with others, whether to our own or someone elses children, but how can we say we dont notice any differences, if were really being honest? We cant just ignore their development and tell ourselves, Theyll talk when theyre ready and similar statements. Sure, every baby is different, and some develop more quickly or slowly for non-concerning reasons. How are we supposed to know when to worry?
The key here is looking for a pattern. If your child does one or two things that seem a bit strange to you, that may not necessarily be reason to send up red flags. On the other hand, if you are noticing that your baby isnt hitting multiple milestones, or has several very strange behaviors, thats a good reason to check in with their pediatrician. Here are some of the common early warning signs of autism to be watching for around 12-18 months and beyond.
My Child Has Signs Of Autismnow What
If your child has signs of autism, Dr. Frazier advises scheduling a visit to your pediatrician right away. You’ll discuss developmental concerns, and the doctor will evaluate your baby for autism. “We have evidence that suggests the quicker you can get a diagnosis, the earlier you can enroll in developmental and behavioral interventions,” says Dr. Frazier.
Early intervention is meant help your baby cope with autism symptoms and possibly even reverse them. As your child gets older, intervention might include speech therapy, occupational therapy, mental health counseling, and whatever else experts believe will help your child thrive. The ultimate goal is “making the symptoms more manageable and enhancing life as much as possible,” says Dr. Silverman.
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Signs Of Early Autism
All infants and children develop at different speeds. And just because your child isnt walking and talking by 12 months it doesnt necessarily mean you need to be concerned. Developmental differences associated with autism spectrum disorder are not exclusive to children with autism but can help professionals diagnose the condition.
If you notice any of the following signs or symptoms, consider scheduling an evaluation for your child. Developmental Pediatrics has been helping children and families in the state of Texas for over 2 decades.
Display Unusual Body Or Hand Movements
A child at risk for autism might move their hands, fingers, or other body parts in an odd and repetitive manner.
- Example of a typically developing child: Mrs. Smith notes that while Johnny is getting better at throwing a ball, his throw is still very clumsy and he holds the ball awkwardly.
- Example of a child at risk for autism: Mrs. Jones notes that after throwing the ball, Sam leans over to face the floor and extends his arms straight behind his body with his fingers spread. He repeats this each time he throws the ball.
Scientific References:
- Damiano, C., Nahmias, A., Hogan-Brown, A., & Stone, W. . What do repetitive and stereotyped movements mean for infant siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders? Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 1326-35.
- D’Mello, A., & Stoodley, C. . Cerebro-cerebellar circuits in autism spectrum disorder. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 9, 408-408.
- Bishop, Richler, & Lord . Association between restricted and repetitive behaviors and nonverbal IQ in children with autism spectrum disorders. Child Neuropsychology, 12:247-267.
- Osterling, Dawson, and Munson . Early recognition of 1-year-old infants with autism spectrum disorder versus mental retardation. Development and Psychopathology. 14: 239-251.
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What Is A Spectrum Disorder
Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means that people can experience a wide range of symptoms and of varying severities. For example, a person with autism who is towards the high functioning range of the spectrum will have a good grasp of language, but a person towards the low functioning range of the spectrum may not speak at all.
As such, it is important to note that a person with autism spectrum disorder will not display all symptoms and symptoms will vary in severity. However, a person with ASD will display several of these behaviors and signs.
Simple Checklist Used By Doctors To Diagnose Autism In Infants
A questionnaire can help doctors determine if babies need early treatment.
New Test for Autism?
April 28, 2011 — New research suggests that a five-minute survey for parentscould detect signs of autism spectrum disorders in babies as young as one. Currently, screening methods allow doctors to determine if a child 18 months and older has a disorder.
The survey asks 24 questions that assess babies’ movement, sounds and eye focus, among other things. It has so far allowed researchers to diagnose autism spectrum disorders correctly 75 percent of the time.
Below are the categories and questions that are included in the survey developed by Amy M. Wetherby and Barry M. Prizant.
Emotion and Eye Gaze
Do you know when your child is happy and when your child is upset?
When your child plays with toys, does he/she look at you to see if you are watching?
Does your child smile or laugh while looking at you?
When you look at and point to a toy across the room, does your child look at it?
Communication
Does your child let you know that he/she needs help or wants an object out of reach?
When you are not paying attention to your child, does he/she try to get your attention?
Does your child do things to get you to laugh?
Does your child try to get you to notice interesting objects — just to get you to look at the objects, not to get you to do anything with them?
Gestures
Does your child pick up objects and give them to you?
Does your child show objects to you without giving you the object?
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My Son Doesn’t Smile For Photos
From the beginning, my son wasnt much of a smiler. We could never get him to do it on command. By the time he was 1, Jasper looked either anxious or furious most days. Relatives, nurses, friends and strangers would try to get him to crack a grin, as if a serious baby was a danger, an affront to the definition of a child. What does that little guy have to be so worried about? a man once asked while we were out walking a new city.
At 2, we took him to a photographers studio I thought thats what parents were suppose to do get professional pictures taken of their children to hand out to family members. Though the light in the studio was perfect that afternoon, and my son appeared to be glowing, I had trouble picking out pictures I thought my parents or anyone else would understand. Jasper appeared worried in all of them, his eyes looking away rather than into the lens of the camera.
He used to cry a lot back then. To calm himself, hed study things like the rotating blades of fans or wires coming out of the walls. Looking back, I think he was trying to make sense of the world, a place into which he often struggled to fit. At 7, after years of frustration and bewilderment, he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Though his autism is not always visible, it is always there.
Now at 9, Jasper still doesnt smile for photographs. Often, he refuses to be in pictures at all. And while, for some reason, this seems to bother a lot of people, Ive learned to accept it.
What To Do If Youre Worried
If your child is developmentally delayed, or if youve observed other red flags for autism, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician right away. In fact, its a good idea to have your child screened by a doctor even if he or she is hitting the developmental milestones on schedule. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children receive routine developmental screenings, as well as specific screenings for autism at 9, 18, and 30 months of age.
Schedule an autism screening. A number of specialized screening tools have been developed to identify children at risk for autism. Most of these screening tools are quick and straightforward, consisting of yes-or-no questions or a checklist of symptoms. Your pediatrician should also get your feedback regarding your childs behavior.
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Rarely Responds To Their Name Of Other Bids
Babies are tuned to listen to your voice when you call their name, they respond by looking toward you.
Babies readily respond to other social bids, like:
- come here with your arms reaching out
- wave bye-bye as youre leaving
- touch your nose
- or look where youre pointing
Some children with autism dont respond by looking where youre pointing but instead look at your hand.
If your baby rarely responds to their name or other bids for social interaction, this can be an early sign of autism.
The Importance Of Early Diagnosis
The American Academy of Pediatrics joins with the CDC in recommending screening at a young age to ensure early intervention and better developmental outcomes. In the U.S., the majority of autism costs are for adult rather than child services . With early diagnosis and treatment, the cost of care over a lifetime can be reduced by two-thirds.
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Strong Interest In Unusual Sensory Experiences
Babies with autism can show very strong interest in unusual sensory experiences, such as excessive rubbing of certain textures, looking out the side of their eye or closely inspecting a block or toy train as it rolls by, or licking objects.
If your child shows strong interest in unusual sensory experiences, this may be an early sign of autism.
Can You Tell If A Baby Is Going To Be Autistic
Some parents recognize autism signs when their child is 6-12 months old, depending on the symptoms and their severity. Pay attention to whether or not the baby is reacting to social information and the environment. Within the first year of life, babies start to babble and use gestures like pointing, says Dr.
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Signs Of Asperger Syndrome
People with Asperger syndrome are generally considered to be on the higher functioning end of the autism spectrum. It is still a form of autism and is a lifelong condition.
Signs and symptoms that are typical of people with Asperger syndrome include:
- Very narrow and highly focused interests
- Great importance on rules and routines
- High standard of language skills, potentially very formal in expression
- Monotonous or repetitive speech
- Making the same noise repeatedly
- Scratching
These behaviors provide the person with a form of sensory input that the person finds appealing or helpful. There are various reasons why someone could be engaging in self-stimulatory behavior:
- They find it enjoyable
- It provides something to focus on, thereby reducing the effects of other, nearby stimuli
- It is soothing and helps with anxiety
Detecting Early Warning Signs Of Autism
The sooner these symptoms are noted, the better. If your child is hitting all of their standard milestones, but still has several of these symptoms, discuss it with their pediatrician. If you have been considering autism for a while now, and this list just made you feel confident that your child is autistic, but you dont have the means to get them an official diagnosis any time soon, check out my super cheap eBook. It will give you plenty of information on how to incorporate therapy at home. There are 75 calming techniques, visual schedules, and an overview of therapy options, along with tons of other helpful information! Which of these symptoms have you observed in your child? Let me know in the comments! And dont forget to subscribe, and grab your free gifts!
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Say Their First Word By 12
A child at risk for autism may not babble or say his first spontaneous word or word approximation .
- Example of a typically developing child: Mrs. Smith notices that Johnny spontaneously says Mama,Dada,ball, and no correctly during his first birthday party.
- Example of a child at risk for autism: Mrs. Jones notices that Sam has not used any spontaneous words or word approximations and is generally only making vowel sounds during his second birthday party.
Scientific References:
- Bavin, E., Kidd, E., Prendergast, L., Baker, E., Dissanayake, C., & Prior, M. . Severity of autism is related to children’s language processing. Autism Research, 7, 687-694.
- Marrus, N., et al . Language delay aggregates in toddler siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 10, 1-16.
- Werner, Dawson, Osterling, & Dinno . Brief report: Recognition of autism spectrum disorder before one year of age: A retrospective study based on home videotapes. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30, 157-162.
- Landa, Holman, & Garrett-Mayer . Social and communication development in toddlers with early and later diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. Archives of General Psychiatry, 64, 853-864.
Five Early Signs Of Autism
UCLA
If youre a parent or caregiver who is concerned that your child may have Autism Spectrum Disorder, getting a diagnosis as soon as possible is important because early intervention can be the key to the most optimal outcomes.
As many studies have now shown, early intervention is critical for the best outcomes in children with autism, and many believe the earlier the better, says Connie Kasari, a professor of human development and psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies and the Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Only with a diagnosis can parents begin to obtain necessary intervention services for their child.
Autism Spectrum Disorder , a growing public health concern that is often widely misunderstood, has been gaining attention ever since the U.S. Centers for Disease Control announced in 2014 that instances of autism are being diagnosed with greater frequency. According to the CDC, 1 in 68 children today have some form of the disorder thats an increase from 1 in 88 in 2012, and 1 in 110 in 2010.
A founding member of the Semel Institute’s Center for Autism Research and Treatment, an initiative that offers assessment and treatment services for the public as well as resources related to ASD, Kasari has developed targeted interventions that focus on improving early social communication development for at-risk infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Additional information and resources:
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