If you’re worried your child is autistic, start by seeing a professional, then
get early intervention
, get an assessment, build support,and gather information. The sooner your child gets early intervention, the better. Looking after yourself will help you navigate the challenges of life with an autistic child.
What should you do if you suspect autism in your child?
First, your child’s pediatrician may
prescribe medically necessary therapies such as speech, behavioral, and/or occupational therapy
. If your child is under 3 years old: He or she should also be referred to your state’s Early Intervention (EI) program.
What are the 3 main symptoms of autism?
- Repetitive behaviors like hand-flapping, rocking, jumping, or twirling.
- Constant moving (pacing) and “hyper” behavior.
- Fixations on certain activities or objects.
- Specific routines or rituals (and getting upset when a routine is changed, even slightly)
- Extreme sensitivity to touch, light, and sound.
What to look for if you think your child has autism?
- not responding to their name.
- avoiding eye contact.
- not smiling when you smile at them.
- getting very upset if they do not like a certain taste, smell or sound.
- repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, flicking their fingers or rocking their body.
- not talking as much as other children.
What are the first signs of autism in a child?
- Loss of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills.
- Avoidance of eye contact.
- Persistent preference for solitude.
- Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings.
- Delayed language development.
- Persistent repetition of words or phrases (echolalia)
- Resistance to minor changes in routine or surroundings.
How do you rule out autism?
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult because there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorder. Doctors look at the child’s developmental history and behavior to make a diagnosis. ASD can sometimes be detected at
18 months or younger
.
What to do if you suspect your child has Aspergers?
If you notice signs of Asperger’s Syndrome or any of the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder in your child, see
your pediatrician
. She or he can refer you to a mental health expert who specializes in diagnosing this type of disorder.
At what age is autism usually noticed?
Some children show ASD symptoms
within the first 12 months of life
. In others, symptoms may not show up until 24 months or later. Some children with ASD gain new skills and meet developmental milestones, until around 18 to 24 months of age and then they stop gaining new skills, or they lose the skills they once had.
What autism feels like?
find
it hard to communicate and interact with
other people. find it hard to understand how other people think or feel. find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable. get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events.
Are there any physical signs of autism?
People with autism sometimes may have physical symptoms, including digestive problems such as
constipation and sleep problems
. Children may have poor coordination of the large muscles used for running and climbing, or the smaller muscles of the hand. About a third of people with autism also have seizures.
What does hand flapping look like?
Hand flapping usually occurs in preschoolers or toddlers and looks
like the child is rapidly waving his or her hands at the wrist while holding the arms bent at the elbow
. Think of a baby bird trying to take off for the first time.
How do autistic toddlers behave?
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are often restricted, rigid, and even obsessive in their behaviors, activities, and interests. Symptoms may include:
Repetitive body movements
(hand flapping, rocking, spinning); moving constantly. Obsessive attachment to unusual objects (rubber bands, keys, light switches).
How do you know if your child is not autistic?
Responds to her name between
9 and 12 months
of age. Smiles by 2 months of age; laughs and giggles around 4 to 5 months; expresses with eye contact and smiles or laughter to your humor around 6 months.
At what age is hand flapping a concern?
Some children do hand flapping during early development phase but the key is how long these behavior lasts. If the child grows out of these behaviors, generally
around 3 years of age
, then it is not much worrisome. But if a child hand flaps everyday then there is cause for concern.
What is hand flapping autism?
When a person with autism engages in self-stimulatory behaviors such as rocking, pacing, aligning or spinning objects, or hand flapping, people around him may be confused, offended, or even frightened. Also known as “
stimming
,” these behaviors are often characterized by rigid, repetitive movements and/or vocal sounds.
How do I get my child tested for autism?
For a thorough assessment and a specific autism diagnosis, make an appointment with a
professional trained in diagnosing autism
, like a psychologist, speech pathologist or paediatrician. You might need a referral from your child’s nurse or GP.
