- It is useful for parents to know the signs and symptoms of autism and Asperger syndrome that are related to their child’s stages of development.See your GP if you notice any of the symptoms of ASD or if you’re concerned about your child’s development. You can discuss your concerns together in depth before deciding whether your child should be referred for a specialist assessment.
Signs of ASD in pre-school children
The features of ASD that often develop in pre-school children are explained below.Spoken language
- delayed speech development (for example, not speaking at least 10 different words by the age of two), or not speaking at all
- frequent repetition of set words and phrases
- speech that sounds very monotonous or flat
- preferring to communicate using single words, despite being able to speak in sentences
Responding to others
- not responding to their name being called, despite having normal hearing
- rejecting cuddles initiated by a parent or carer (although they may initiate cuddles themselves)
- reacting unusually negatively when asked to do something by someone else
Interacting with others
- not being aware of other people’s personal space, or being unusually intolerant of people entering their own personal space
- little interest in interacting with other people, including children of a similar age
- not enjoying situations that most children their age like, such as birthday parties
- preferring to play alone, rather than asking others to play with them
- rarely using gestures (such as pointing) or facial expressions when communicating
- avoiding eye contact
Behaviour
- having repetitive movements such as flapping their hands, rocking back and forth or flicking their fingers
- playing with toys in a repetitive and unimaginative way, such as lining blocks up in order of size or colour, rather than using them to build something
- preferring to have a familiar routine, and getting extremely upset if there are changes to their normal routine
- having a strong like or dislike of certain foods, based on the texture or colour of the food as much as the taste
Signs and symptoms of ASD in school-age children
Features of ASD that can develop in older children and teenagers are explained below.Spoken language
- preferring to avoid using spoken language
- speech that sounds very monotonous or flat
- speaking in pre-learned phrases, rather than putting together individual words to form new sentences
- seeming to talk ‘at’ people, rather than sharing a two-way conversation
Responding to others
- taking people’s speech literally and being unable to understand sarcasm, metaphors or figures of speech
- reacting unusually negatively when asked to do something by someone else
Interacting with others
- not being aware of other people’s personal space, or being unusually intolerant of people entering their own personal space
- little interest in interacting with other people, including children of a similar age, or having few close friends despite attempts to form friendships
- not understanding how people normally interact socially, such as greeting people or wishing them farewell
- being unable to adapt the tone and content of their speech to different social situations, for example speaking very formally at a party and then speaking to total strangers in a familiar way
- not enjoying situations and activities that most children their age like
- rarely using gestures or facial expressions when communicating
- avoiding eye contact
Behaviour- having repetitive movements such as flapping their fingers, rocking back and forth or flicking their fingers
- playing in a repetitive and unimaginative way, often preferring to play with objects rather than people
- developing a highly specific interest in a particular subject or activity
- preferring to have a familiar routine, and getting extremely upset if there are changes to their normal routine
- having a strong like or dislike of certain foods, based on the texture or colour of the food as much as the taste
Early Autism
early childhood
, causing delays in many basic areas of development such as learning to talk, play, and interact with others.
The signs and symptoms of autism vary widely, as do its effects. Some autistic children have only mild impairments, while others have more obstacles to overcome. However, every child on the autism spectrum has problems, at least to some degree, in the following three areas:
- Communicating verbally and non-verbally
- Relating to others and the world around them
- Thinking and behaving flexibly
There are different opinions among doctors, parents, and experts about what causes autism and how best to treat it, and much that we still don’t know. But on one fact, everyone agrees: early and intensive intervention helps. For children at riskand children who show early signs, it can make all the difference.
Early detection of autism is up to parents
As a parent, you’re in the best position to spot the earliest warning signs of autism. You know your child better than anyone and observe behaviors and quirks that a pediatrician, in a quick fifteen-minute visit, might not have the chance to see. Your child’s pediatrician can be a valuable partner, but don’t discount the importance of your own observations and experience. The key is to educate yourself so you know what’s normal and what’s not.
- Monitor your child’s development. Autism involves a variety of developmental delays, so keeping a close eye on when—or if—your child is hitting the key social, emotional, and cognitive milestones is an effective way to spot the problem early on. While developmental delays don’t automatically point to autism, they may indicate a heightened risk.
- Take action if you’re concerned. Every child develops at a different pace—so you don’t need topanic if your child is a little late to talk or walk. When it comes to healthy development, there’s a wide range of “normal.” But if your child is not meeting the milestones for his or her age, or you suspect a problem, share your concerns with your child’s doctor immediately. Don’t wait.
- Don’t accept a wait-and-see approach. Many concerned parents are told, “Don’t worry” or “Wait and see.” But waiting is the worst thing you can do. You risk losing valuable time at an age where your child has the best chance for improvement. Furthermore, whether the delay is caused by autism or some other factor, developmentally delayed kids are unlikely to simply “grow out” of their problems. In order to develop skills in an area of delay, your child needs extra help and targeted treatment.
- Trust your instincts. Ideally, your child’s doctor will take your concerns seriously and perform a thorough evaluation for autism or other developmental delays. But sometimes, even well-meaning doctors miss red flags or underestimate problems. Listen to your gut if it’s telling you something is wrong and be persistent. Schedule a follow-up appointment with the doctor, seek a second opinion, or ask for a referral to a child development specialist.
Signs and symptoms of autism in babies and toddlers
If autism is caught in infancy, treatment can take full advantage of the young brain’s remarkable plasticity. Although autism is hard to diagnose before 24 months, symptoms often surface between 12 and 18 months. If signs are detected by 18 months of age, intensive treatment may help to rewire the brain and reverse the symptoms.
The earliest signs of autism involve the absence of normal behaviors—not the presence of abnormal ones—so they can be tough to spot. In some cases, the earliest symptoms of autism are even misinterpreted as signs of a “good baby,” since the infant may seem quiet, independent, and undemanding. However, you can catch warning signs early if you know what to look for.
Some autistic infants don't respond to cuddling, reach out to be picked up, or look at their mothers when being fed.
One Baby's Story
Melanie is a healthy one-year-old, but her parents are worried because she’s not doing many things that her older brother did at her age, like playing peek-a-booand mimicking expressions and gestures. Melanie’s mom and dad try to engage her with toys, songs, and games, but nothing they do gets her interest, let alone a laugh or a smile. In fact, she rarely makes eye contact. And although her hearing has been checked and is normal, she doesn’t babble, make other baby noises, or respond when her parents call her name. Melanie needs to be checked out by a child development specialist right away.
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