Signs Of Autism At 12 Months

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.

Early Identification Of Autism

Identifying autism spectrum disorder at the earliest age possible is of the utmost importance early treatment can be very beneficial to the child and their family.

Abnormalities in how babies acts socially, as well as how they pay attention to and interact with their non-social environment, could be early warning signs. A delay in speech alone generally does not signify autism, but in combination with other warning signs, could suggest that a toddler is at risk.

Signs Of Autism In Toddlers

Repetitive behaviors and differences in play, imitation, and feeding habits were the most often reported signs of autism in the second year, according to the Avon study.

Also look for these signs:

• Doesn’t use gestures. Doesn’t shake their head yes or no. Doesn’t wave goodbye or point to things they want.
• Doesn’t point out objects to show interest in the world around them. By 14 to 16 months, most toddlers point to get your attention and share something they’re interested in, such as a puppy or new toy.
• Doesn’t use single words by 16 months or two-word phrases by 24 months.
• May limit speech to repeating what they just heard.
• Loses verbal or social skills, often between the ages of 15 and 24 months. Used to babble or speak a few words, or show interest in people, but now doesn’t.
• Withdraws. Seems to tune people out and be in their own world.
• Walks on their toes or doesn’t walk at all.

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Rarely Shares Their Interests With You

Babies are eager to share their interests with you, first with gestures like showing and pointing, and then with sounds and words.

Notice what your baby is paying attention to to figure out what theyre interested in.

If your baby rarely their interests with you, this can be an early sign of autism.

Make Good Eye Contact

A child at risk for autism may not use his/her eye gaze appropriately to initiate, terminate, or regulate social interactions. Please note, however, some children with an autism spectrum disorder may have appropriate eye contact and gaze.

• Example of a typically developing child: When making a request, Johnny alternates looking at Mrs. Smith then the treat and then back at Mrs. Smith to convey what he wants.
• Example of a child at risk for autism: Sam actively avoids eye contact with Mrs. Jones by turning away, pushing away, or closing his eyes.

Scientific References:

• Gangi, D., Schwichtenberg, A., Iosif, A., Young, G., Baguio, F., & Ozonoff, S. . Gaze to faces across interactive contexts in infants at heightened risk for autism. Autism : The International Journal of Research and Practice, 22, 763-768.
• Jones, W., & Klin, A. . Attention to eyes is present but in decline in 2-6-month-old infants later diagnosed with autism. Nature, 504, 427-31.
• Wetherby, Woods, Allen, Cleary, Dickinson, & Lord . Early indicators of autism spectrum disorders in the second year of life. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34, 473-493.
• Zwaigenbaum, Bryson, Rogers, Roberts, Brian, & Szatmari . Behavioral manifestations of autism in the first year of life. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 23, 143-152.

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Display Unusual Sensory Sensitivities

A child at risk for autism might show unexpected reactions to certain sounds, textures, and/or tastes.

• Example of a typically developing child: When feeding 18 month-old Johnny lunch, Mrs. Smith notices that he eats a variety of foods but, as usual, refuses to eat his vegetables.
• Example of a child at-risk for autism: When feeding 18 month-old Sam lunch, Mrs. Jones notices that he refuses to eat the cheerios or pieces of banana she has given him. Sam becomes upset when presented with the solid food so Ms. Jones eventually gives him some baby food and a bottle.

Scientific References:

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.

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Rarely Shares Enjoyment With You

Babies readily share enjoyment with you by smiling or laughing and looking at you.

Some children with autism smile to show theyre happy but dont their enjoyment.

Others show little facial expression or have flat affect and rarely smile so you may not know when theyre happy.

If your baby rarely shares enjoyment with you, especially when youre available to interact, this can be an early sign of autism.

Show Low Enthusiasm To Explore New Things Or Appear Underactive

A child at risk for autism might not appear to be interested in novel toys, people, or environments.

• Example of a typically developing child: As Mrs. Smith watches Johnny play at a new park she sometimes has difficulty keeping an eye on him as he moves between play structures, exploring each one. Eventually, he finds a favorite play structure and plays there for the rest of their time at the park.
• Example of a child at risk for autism: As Mrs. Jones watches Sam play at a new park she sees that he is sitting in one place and running his fingers through the sand. She attempts to encourage him to explore by placing him on various play structures but he becomes fussy and returns to his spot in the sand.

Scientific References:

• Kaur, M., Srinivasan, S., & Bhat, A. . Atypical object exploration in infants at-risk for autism during the first year of lifer. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 798-798.
• Little, L., Ausderau, K., Sideris, J., & Baranek, G. . Activity participation and sensory features among children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 2981-2990.
• Ozonoff, Macari, Young, Goldring, Thompson, & Rogers . Atypical object exploration at 12 months of age is associated with autism in a prospective sample. Autism. 12. 457-472.
• Pierce & Courchesne Evidence for a cerebellar role in reduced exploration and stereotyped behavior in autism. Biological Psychiatry. 49:655-64.

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Signs Of Speech And Language Difficulties

• Speaks in an atypical tone of voice, or with an odd rhythm or pitch .
• Repeats the same words or phrases over and over, often without communicative intent.
• Responds to a question by repeating it, rather than answering it.
• Uses language incorrectly or refers to him or herself in the third person.
• Has difficulty communicating needs or desires.
• Doesnt understand simple directions, statements, or questions.
• Takes what is said too literally .

Children with autism spectrum disorder have difficulty with speech and language. Often, they start talking late.

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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Struggles With Imaginary Play

Most toddlers engage in some type of imaginary play around 12-15 months. They can pick up a toy and pretend it is a phone, feed a baby doll, or pretend to wash a toy dog. Autistic children typically struggle in this area, as most of their brains are more concrete. Of course they can learn to imitate behaviors if they see them repeated enough, but they dont usually branch off from there like neurotypical children do. An autistic child may learn to give a baby doll a pretend bottle is they see it demonstrated multiple times. But it is unlikely that they will continue with the pretend play by brushing the dolls hair, wiping her face, or painting her nails they only repeat what they have seen.

Early Signs Of Autism In 1

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During the first couple of years of life infant development happens in spurts and at an incredible rate of change. Most infants grow into walking and talking toddlers by the middle of their second year of life, and the pace at which these changes occur can vary tremendously across children. No two children develop at the same pace or at the same time and it can be difficult for parents to know when help vs time and patience is needed. Family members often encourage the sit back and wait approach based on their own experiences . Also, pediatricians may overlook concerns on their short well baby visits repeating the mantra, All kids develop on their own time. or He will grow out of it. The varying, and sometimes contradicting information parents are provided, leaves them frustrated, confused, and a gut feeling that something is not as it should be.

Due to the research and data collected in the last decades around Autism Spectrum Disorder , an abundance of evidence is available that early intervention with a provisional diagnosis can radically change the trajectory of childs development.

If you or others in your family observe one or more of these signs in your 12-month or older child, talk to your doctor or contact us for guidance.

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The Top 9 Signs Your Infant May Have Autism

We take a look at the most common autism symptoms in babies and toddlers, and the importance of getting children diagnosed as early as possible.

The signs and symptoms of autism are unique to every individual, and they vary in intensity from person to person. Its a difficult disorder to pick up when children are young, but an early diagnosis can significantly impact a childs quality of life and shape their development. Having an awareness of autism symptoms in babies and toddlers is critical.

Treatment For Autism In Babies

Autism is not a disorder that can be developed later or inherited from someone else. Children with autism are often born this way. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder. There is no treatment. Individuals with autism are individuals with autism throughout their lives, but the severity of the symptoms decreases thanks to the therapies and interventions they receive and they do not need to reduce their living standards in this way.

Unfortunately, in todays world, there is no treatment for autism spectrum disorder yet. Fortunately, a variety of interventions have been designed by professionals that can reduce the severity of symptoms, improve quality of life, and improve the childs abilities and social skills.

Early diagnosis and early intervention have a great impact on children with autism. This effect becomes a lifetime. You will have the opportunity to guide your child, you will help them live without reducing their quality of life, and there will be no harm to family relationships dynamics.

If we accept that autism is a spectrum, we also accept that the effect of ASD differs from baby to baby. The treatment plan is also customized for each baby based on his or her needs. Multidisciplinary treatment plans, which are observed to be very beneficial and convenient today, may be required with active parent participation.

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About Early Signs Of Autism

Some early signs of autism usually appear in the first 1-2 years of life.

Early signs of autism are listed below. Some children have many early signs, whereas others have only a few. The number of signs autistic children have varies according to their age and the effect that autism has on their everyday lives.

Sometimes early signs of autism change over time. For example, children might lose or stop using social-communication or language skills, or signs might become clearer as children get older.

What Are The Signs Of Autism In Toddlers

Signs of autism in toddlers include limited sharing in play with caregivers, limited pointing or unusual pointing, or preferring to pull family members to what they want rather than pointing or talking, says Dr. Angulo. “Caregivers may also notice that it takes a long time to get a childs attention when calling their name or that a child will walk on their toes or make unusual hand/finger movements.”

Additionally, we can also see a speech delay in toddlers or atypical speech development patterns. “Echoing, for example, can be indicative of ASD, though this is not always the case,” says Dr. Angulo.

“Toddlers can show more clear signs for ASD than babies,” says Dr. Angulo.

There is significant research showing that children with ASD can be diagnosed accurately as young as 14 months old. However, notes Dr. Angulo, some parents will say that they suspected much earlier or that they didnt notice difficulties until much later.

Note that pediatricians dont routinely screen for ASD in children until they are 18 months old. Waiting until the year and a half mark increases the likelihood that they can identify these differences in young children, while still diagnosing the condition at a young age, says Dr. Angulo. However, if you notice signs of ASD before 18 months, it really helps to mention them to your child’s pediatrician as they may not be screening for autism at earlier visits.

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Signs Of Autism At 12 Months 3

HomelyK · 05/06/2020 12:25

Could someone please tell me if my worries are valid or not about my 12 month old son. He had severe reflux as a baby and allergies that only got figured out around 6 months old so he spent most of the first 5 months crying.So things he is doing well… Understands simple instructions- come here, ta hair- touches my hair, – high five gives me high five and fish he will go to fish tank. He looks for dad when i say dad but not for me when said mum

• has great eye contact and reciprical smiling
• has begun pointing about a month ago for things he wants but doesnt always look at me when he does it. He also follows peoples points most of the time
• he shows me items by holding them up when playing
• will imitate some actions on toys such as if i bang something he will or if i put a brick on a tower he will add one
• he responds to his name most of the time

• he doesnt imitate clapping or waving he just smiles but then does imitate high fives and feeding people his food
• he used to play peekaboo when asked and found it hilarious but doesnt anymore but my gut says hes moved on to other things
• my big concern… Hes still not babbling. No consonants apart from mmmm and an occasional ga. He mainly growls. Sometimes to us sometimes not. He has begun playing with vowels in the last 3 weeks and will use a grunt n sound to get our attention…..
• shows more interest in adults than babies but to be fair we havent seen any during lockdown since he was 9 months old.

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.

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