![]() ![]() ![]() But a child with autism may not move past the inspection phase, Pandey says. Most young kids will inspect a toy before playing with it. Inspecting toys rather than playing with them A child with autism may also be very sensitive to bright light, according to the Mayo Clinic. “They might hold their hands up to their ears,” she says. She mentions toilet flushes and vacuum cleaners as common irritants. “Everyday sounds might be really hard for them,” she says of children with autism. But he may not like to be held or cuddled. A child may enjoy rubbing smooth or soft surfaces, or he may smell everything, Pandey says. Heightened sensitivity or sensory aversionĪutism can cause a child’s senses to be touchy. Repeating a phrase or babble with odd rhythms or in sing-song voice are also warning signs, Mayo Clinic experts say. This is known as “scripted language,” she adds. “I had one child who would repetitively count the way he heard it on Elmo,” she says. While many young kids babble or repeat themselves, Pandey says young children with autism may repeat the same “jargony” phrase over and over again in the exact same way-almost like they’re singing the verse of a song. Especially if a child repeats these or similar gestures when he’s worked up or excited, that’s something to note. Repetitive motions or gestures-often flapping or spinning hands, flicking fingers, or rocking back and forth-are a red flag, Pandey says. A lack of eye contact is not always indicative of autism-a caveat that applies to every symptom on this list. At the same time, she says some children may just be shy. “Some kids who are severely impacted may make no eye contact at all,” Pandey adds. But a child with autism may avoid eye contact-never looking directly at his parent or doing so inconsistently or fleetingly. Young children tend to lock eyes with loved ones and strangers alike. Pandey calls poor eye contact “one of the hallmarks” of autism. While you should tell your child’s doctor if you notice any of these symptoms, spotting one of them-or even several of them-is not a guarantee that your child has autism. What may be a red flag for autism at age 3 could be considered typical behavior at age 1 or 2. “We need to see a number of these symptoms to make a diagnosis, not just one,” Pandey says.Īlso, different symptoms emerge at different ages. Just keep in mind: Diagnosing autism is complicated. So what are the symptoms of autism? Here are 12 that parents need to know. “You cannot get autism-specific intervention until you get a diagnosis,” she adds. Pandey also says parental symptom-spotting is vital because the sooner a health professional can intervene, the better off the child will be. ![]() “That’s why parents watching for symptoms and providing that information is important.” “Symptoms occur over time, and they don’t always happen in a doctor’s office,” she says. Symptoms can start as early as 12 or 18 months for some children, while other kids with autism may not be diagnosed until the second or third grade, Pandey says. What are the symptoms of autism?Īutism’s early warning signs usually emerge sometime before a child turns three. It’s called a “spectrum disorder” because it encompasses a handful of related conditions, all of which may present in different ways, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, says Juhi Pandey, PhD, a pediatric neuropsychologist, and scientist with the Center for Autism Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. ![]() One in 68 kids have autism, and the disorder is roughly five times more likely to affect boys than girls. While those years are a joyful time for parents, it’s important that moms and dads keep an eye out for early symptoms or signs of developmental issues, including autism spectrum disorder, a cluster of disorders that affect brain development and can lead to problems thinking, communicating, and socializing. The first years of a child’s life are a time of tremendous physical, cognitive, and social development. ![]()
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