How to Recognize Signs of Autism in Infants

It is important for parents to be aware of the first signs of autism in infants. Autism is a condition in which a person faces challenges in their ability to socially interact with others. They also have a hard time recognizing and understand nonverbal communication, including facial expressions. People with autism often engage in repetitive behavior and may have a small range of interests. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly six out of every 1,000 children has some form of autism. Autism is much more common in boys. Early intervention is important to the success of the various treatments for children with autism. That's why it's best if parents can notice the signs of autism in infants.

Instructions

1. Observe the baby's interaction with others. By the time they are six months old, most babies make eye contact with their parents, point at objects, exchange smiles with their parents, start babbling, and making happy facial expressions. The absence of one or two of these milestones doesn't necessarily mean a baby has autism. But a baby who is uninterested in human contact, and is more interested in inanimate objects should be screened for autism.

2. Look for signs of repetitiveness. This is one of the most recognized signs of autism in toddlers and babies. Babies with autism often develop a strong attachment to patterns. They want to do things a certain way. If this doesn't happen, they may become extremely agitated. They may also have repetitive body movements. For example, they may constantly rock their bodies or flap their arms. They may have an obsessive to a certain routine.

3. Be aware of any signs of regression. Some parents report that their autistic children did not show any signs autism as babies. Instead they started to regress at around the age of three. So in some cases, autism in toddlers and babies can first appear when a child starts losing the ability to pronounce certain words. Some children stop speaking altogether and withdraw completely into themselves.

4. Pay attention to any sensitivities to the five senses. Some babies with autism don't like to be touched. In other cases, they may be extremely sensitive to sounds such as sirens, or they may have an emotional meltdown if they see certain colors, or they may become upset when they are around certain smells.

5. Notice any signs of a lack of emotional control. Children with autism often have a hard time controlling their emotions. This is different from the tantrums that are common among babies and children, because the traditional methods that parents use to curb the tantrums often don't work with toddlers with autism. Sometimes, they may even burst into uncontrollable laughter for no apparent reason.

Resources

• Autism Speaks