Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder. It affects how people communicate and interact with others, as well as how they behave and learn.
Autism is a lifelong condition and symptoms and signs can first appear when a child is very young. Autism cannot be cured, but therapies and support services can help a person with ASD improve their symptoms and quality of life.
Signs of autism can be identified in babies as early as four months old. We have compiled a list of signs that indicate your child might have Autism. If you are concerned, please talk to a medical professional for a proper assessment and advice.
Common signs of autism in babies:
- Not babbling by four months old,
- Not smiling by five months old,
- Not laughing by six months old,
- No interest in games (e.g. peek-a-boo) by eight months old,
- Not responding to their name by 12 months old,
- Not looking at objects pointed out be other people by 12 months old,
- Being upset by loud noises,
- Not looking to a parent for comfort in unfamiliar situations,
- Not making eye contact.
Common signs of autism in toddlers (1-2 years):
- Not developing language skills. One-year-old should be able to communicate single words such as mama or dada. Two-year-old’s should be able to use simple sentences,
- Only saying one word at a time,
- Repeating words over and over,
- No interest in playing social games or being around children,
- Not making eye contact,
- Repetitive behaviour such as rocking or twirling.
Common signs of autism in young children (2-3 years):
- Limited range of emotions,
- Not seeming attached to parents,
- No interest in playing social games or being around children,
- Only playing with one particular toy or object,
- Repeating other people’s words or phrases,
- Repeating words over and over,
- Not developing language skills,
- Difficulty toilet training,
- Having frequent tantrums or meltdowns,
- Physically aggressive behaviour,
- Banging head,
- Repetitive behaviour such as rocking or twirling.
Common signs of autism in older children and teens:
- Narrow range of interests,
- Obsessions with certain topics,
- Repetitive behaviour such as snapping rubber band, twirling,
- Doesn’t make eye contact,
- Experiences difficulty with social interactions,
- Difficulty understanding emotions,
- Prefer to be alone,
- Avoiding physical contact,
- Unusual sleeping patterns,
- Routines and rules are important,
- Strong preferences to certain foods, clothes or objects.
If you notice these symptoms and feel concerned, please talk to a medical professional for a proper assessment.
“Autism doesn’t come with a manual; it comes with a parent that never gives up.”
More information available on: www.autismspeaks.org
