Autism

If you think you or someone you know might be on the autism spectrum, the following information will help you better understand the common signs and characteristics associated with adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This blog illustrates some of the signs, symptoms and diagnostic tools available to recognize autism before it is usually diagnosed. ASD symptoms in adults who may have autism or have had it.

Low-Functional Autism is the term used to describe children and adults with autism who have symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or who have been diagnosed with stage 3 ASD. Symptoms of low – Functioning autism can include a lack of interest in social interaction, difficulty engaging socially, and difficulty understanding unwritten language rules. The inability to engage socially or understand unwritten language is a sign of an autism spectrum disorder, according to the CDC.

The biggest sign of autism is a child who does not speak until the age of 16 months, but the warning signs can be mild or exaggerated. Children with autism appear normal until the age of 1 or 2, when they suddenly lose all previously acquired language and social skills. A child with early signs of autism speaks differently from when he or she is 2 or 3 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children with autism spectrum disorder develop communication skills faster than children without the disorder.

An early sign of autism is a child who insists that certain things are the same and gets very upset about unexpected changes. If your child shows excessive interest in a particular object or activity, this is an early sign of autism. An early sign of autistic behavior: The earliest signs of autism are children who are very focused and attached to unusual objects.

If your child shows a strong interest in unusual sensory experiences, this can be an early sign of autism, especially in children with autism spectrum disorders.

Even infants can be very social, so it is possible to detect signs of autism in babies “interactions with their world. Even if babies rarely respond to their parents, grandparents or other family members, this can be an early sign of autism. If your baby rarely shares your joy, especially if you are available for interactions, this may also be an earlier sign of autism. Although babies grow and develop normally, a single sign or behavior associated with ASD does not necessarily mean that they have autism, even in children with autism spectrum disorders.

If you feel that your child is showing the first signs of autism, you should talk to your doctor immediately. If you have any questions about autism spectrum disorders or other health problems, call us to make an appointment or call us to get an examination.

If you feel that your 2-year-old child is not meeting its development goals, you can start looking for certain signs of autism spectrum disorders as delays. Whether you are a parent worried that your child is showing signs of autism, or just want to make sure you know what to look out for in the future, familiarizing yourself with the early signs of autism is helpful. The early signs of autism can be difficult to detect and affect a variety of factors, including age, gender, race, ethnicity and other factors.

Autism involves a variety of developmental delays, and it is an effective way to identify problems early on when your child reaches important social, emotional and cognitive milestones. At any age, you need to be mindful of whether your children are achieving development goals to detect the signs of autism. Consider regression, which is an important red rag for autism.

It is important to remember that while there may be symptoms of autism in neurotypical infants, it is not a power struggle like that which can occur in high functioning autism. Some of the symptoms were not initially associated with autism, but help for professionals must continue to push for a better understanding of autism-related behaviors. An early sign of autism is when your child mimics or starts playing little others. Another sign of an autism spectrum disorder is a child who does not smile as big, does not smile or show a warm face, or smiles bigger or shows little or no imitation of one another.

Here are some of the early signs of autism in babies and why a quick diagnosis is key to treating the condition, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Possible “Red Flags”

A person with ASD might:

  • Not respond to their name by 12 months of age
  • Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over) by 14 months
  • Not play “pretend” games (pretend to “feed” a doll) by 18 months
  • Avoid eye contact and want to be alone
  • Have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings
  • Have delayed speech and language skills
  • Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
  • Give unrelated answers to questions
  • Get upset by minor changes
  • Have obsessive interests
  • Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles
  • Have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel

Social Skills

Examples of social issues related to ASD:

  • Does not respond to name by 12 months of age
  • Avoids eye-contact
  • Prefers to play alone
  • Does not share interests with others
  • Only interacts to achieve a desired goal
  • Has flat or inappropriate facial expressions
  • Does not understand personal space boundaries
  • Avoids or resists physical contact
  • Is not comforted by others during distress
  • Has trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about own feelings

Communication

  • Examples of communication issues related to ASD:
  • Delayed speech and language skills
  • Repeats words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
  • Reverses pronouns (e.g., says “you” instead of “I”)
  • Gives unrelated answers to questions
  • Does not point or respond to pointing
  • Uses few or no gestures (e.g., does not wave goodbye)
  • Talks in a flat, robot-like, or sing-song voice
  • Does not pretend in play (e.g., does not pretend to “feed” a doll)
  • Does not understand jokes, sarcasm, or teasing

Unusual Interests and Behaviors

Many people with ASD have unusual interest or behaviors.

  • Examples of unusual interests and behaviors related to ASD:
  • Lines up toys or other objects
  • Plays with toys the same way every time
  • Likes parts of objects (e.g., wheels)
  • Is very organized
  • Gets upset by minor changes
  • Has obsessive interests
  • Has to follow certain routines
  • Flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles

Other Symptoms

Some people with ASD have other symptoms. These might include:

  • Hyperactivity (very active)
  • Impulsivity (acting without thinking)
  • Short attention span
  • Aggression
  • Causing self injury
  • Temper tantrums
  • Unusual eating and sleeping habits
  • Unusual mood or emotional reactions
  • Lack of fear or more fear than expected
  • Unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel