Noticing the early signs of autism can be very difficult. This is because many children often go through the same developmental phases on the same timeline. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 54 children have autism. Knowing whether or not a child has autism in the very early stages is very important. This helps you know how you can help them and if you have to contact an autism treatment center. Autism negatively affects many areas of a child’s life. This may include how they learn, talk, walk, and express emotions. The early signs of autism vary widely but knowing how to identify them helps you know how to best help your child.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism spectrum disorder consists of a group of neurodevelopmental problems that impair the social functions of a child. It also affects how the individual processes and interprets information.
Some of the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder include:
- Inability to understand or interpret social cues such as tone of voice
- Being unresponsive
- Repetitive patterns such as constant movements
- Social withdrawal
The symptoms of autism vary widely and this makes it difficult to identify whether or not a child suffers from autism. Additionally, not all children with autism spectrum disorders will have all the symptoms. Autism also appears during infancy or in the early years of childhood. Parents may notice that their child has trouble learning, interacting with other kids, or even playing.
Children with ASD can greatly benefit from an applied behavioral analysis program. This program helps kids in the areas that they experience the most difficulty. These are areas such as communication, social relations, and interacting with other people. The other common area is thinking and behaving with coordination and control. It is not clear what causes ASD. But every expert in the field agrees that early interventions help children with ASD.
How to Identify the Early Signs of Autism
Knowing if your child has autism goes a long way in helping them. This allows them to develop well and to thrive in every area of life.
Here are some of the early signs of autism:
- Inability to maintain eye contact
- Inability to respond to the parents’ facial expressions or smile
- Difficulty in gaining interest in something that their parents are showing them
- May lack appropriate facial expressions
- Speaking or smiling at a delayed rate
- May not respond when called
- Repeats the same phrases or actions
The symptoms of ASD get worse as the child develops. This is why it is important to identify the signs when they are still very young. If you feel that your child may have the above symptoms, don’t wait, consult a doctor. This will help you know which intervention is best for your child. An ASD therapy program works best when you enroll your child from an early age. The most prominent symptom of ASD is social difficulties.
Monitoring your child very closely will help you determine if there are any early signs of autism. Trust your intuition and don’t accept the ‘wait and see’ approach that some individuals tend to follow.
Getting the Help Your Child Needs
Don’t let ASD negatively affect your child’s development. Knowing the early signs of autism gives you the chance to help your child develop more holistically. The diagnostic process of ASD can be quite tricky. This means knowing the early signs and getting your child the help they need is crucial. If you suspect there is a problem, seek help and look for suitable treatment alternatives such as ASD Therapy programs.
