Yahoo News Early signs of autism in children and when symptoms begin to show
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be caused by differences in the brain. People who have ASD can experience social communication and interaction issues and the disorder may also see them display repetitive or restricted behaviours or interests.
In children, symptoms can appear at different stages. Sometimes it can by 18 months, 12 months or even earlier, reports GloucestershireLive.
Among the most common early signs include problems following another person's gaze, following a pointed finger to an object, issues with eye contact and also not responding to their own name. There can be other signs too, such as problems with nonverbal communication, alongside pretend play and imitation.
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Diagnosis of ASD doesn't usually happen in children until they are three-years-old or above. However, developmental issues can sometimes be spotted by healthcare experts. Outcomes can be improved by early identification of symptoms and early intervention.
The behaviour and interests of people with ASD can seem unusual. According to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, examples of restricted or repetitive behaviours and interests related to ASD can include:
Lines up toys or other objects and gets upset when the order is changed.
Repeats words or phrases over and over (called echolalia).
Plays with toys the same way every time.
Is focused on parts of objects (for example, wheels).
Gets upset by minor changes.
Has obsessive interests.
Must follow certain routines.
Flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles.
Has unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel.
By 12 months of age
According to HealthyChildren.org, most children can immediately look in the direction of an object a parent is pointing at. They will then look back at the parent and mimic the parent's expression, usually a smile. Children on the autism spectrum may appear to ignore the parent. This can cause parents to worry about their child's hearing.
They also may not show facial expressions like happy, sad, angry, and surprised by nine months of age, or do not play simple interactive games like pat-a-cake by 12 months of age
By 15 months of age
Most children can point to out-of-reach objects that they want. A child on the autism spectrum may instead take a parent's hand and lead the parent to the object without making much, if any, eye contact. Sometimes the child may even place the parent's hand onto the object itself.
By 18 months of age
Most children point at objects they find interesting. Children will look back and forth between an object and a parent to make sure the parent is tuned in to what they are looking at. Children on the autism disorder spectrum will often point to an object because they want a parent to get it for them, not because they want the parent to enjoy looking at the object with them.
By 24 months of age
Most children this age often enjoy watching each other play and may even imitate one another. Children on the autism disorder spectrum will often not notice when others are hurt or upset by 24 months of age. They may notice other children and join them in play by 36 months of age.
They also may not pretend to be something else, like a teacher or superhero, during play by 48 months of age. By 60 months of age, they may not sing, dance, or act for you.
It is important to remember autism is a spectrum. This means everybody with autism is different.
Some autistic people need little or no support. Others may need help from a parent or carer every day. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older.
