Early Signs of Autism in Babies

Watching your baby grow is an unforgettable experience. But while every child develops at his own level, failing to reach certain milestones could raise red flags. Some parents recognize signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) when their baby is around 6-12 months – and sometimes even earlier, says Dr. Tom Frazier, Chief Science Officer of Autism Speaks. Here are the early signs of autism in babies, and why prompt diagnosis is key to treating the condition.

What is Autism?

A defect of the brain, autism is a complex developmental disability that affects social skills like playing, learning, and communicating. Individual cases of autism fall on a spectrum ranging from mild to severe. A December 2018 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics estimated autism affects one in 40 U.S. kids today.

Doctors don’t know exactly what causes autism, but it’s believed to be a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Certain circumstances also raise a child’s chance of developing autism. For example, “if you have a sibling with autism, your risk of developing it increases to about 20% on average,” says Dr. Frazier. He states that other risk factors include premature birth, low birth weight, delivery complications, and having older parents.

Signs of Autism in Babies

Sometimes parents recognize autism 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. Frazier, adding that younger children may also smile at their caregivers. “Baby noises should have some social function as well, and they should try communicating with parent.” Babies with autism sometimes fail to communicate through sounds or gestures, and they may appear not to recognize social stimulation at all.

Here are other common early signs of autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

She doesn’t follow moving objects with her eyes: “Babies at high risk for autism don’t follow caregivers as they move in visual field,” says Dr. Frazier. “They may be more intrigued by something like a blanket.”
She doesn’t respond to loud noises.
She doesn’t grasp and hold objects.
She doesn’t smile at people.
She doesn’t babble.
She doesn’t pay attention to new faces

She doesn’t turn her head to locate where sounds are coming from.
She shows no affection for you.
She doesn’t laugh or make squealing sounds.
She doesn’t reach for objects.
She doesn’t smile on her own.
She doesn’t try to attract attention through actions.
She doesn’t have any interest in games such as peekaboo.

She doesn’t crawl.
She doesn’t say single words.
She doesn’t use gestures such as waving or shaking her head.
She doesn’t point to objects or pictures.
She can’t stand when supported.

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. Since your little one’s brain is still developing, an early diagnosis increases the chances of improving symptoms in the long run. “We have evidence that suggests the quicker you can get a diagnose, the earlier you can enroll in early developmental and behavioral interventions,” says Dr. Frazier.

Early intervention is meant help your baby cope with his 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.

source: yahoo.com