How to Tell If Your Baby is Autistic? Whether you are expecting a baby or have a child already, you may be wondering how to tell if your baby is autistic. Fortunately, there are ways to know if your child will be on the autism spectrum.
Lack of eye contact
Seeing a baby make eye contact with people, animals, or objects is a sign that the baby is developing socially. Although there are many reasons why a child might be shy about making eye contact, autism is one of the most common reasons. Behavioral therapists can help you improve a child’s eye contact.
Infants begin making eye contact when they are two months old. They should be able to make regular eye contact with their caregivers by the time they are nine months old. However, if a baby does not make eye contact, the parent should investigate.
Learning to mimic others
Typically developing infants are often seen mimicking facial expressions and hand gestures. These actions serve as building blocks for learning, and may be associated with social bonding. However, in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASC), it is often observed that these skills are impaired. The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between social bonding and mimicry in children with ASC.
To examine this, the study used a semi-structured naturalistic interaction task. The children watched a video of a woman telling a story. Each child was asked to observe the actions of the interlocutor and if they noticed anything unusual. The children were then given a block of 2.5 minutes to perform the actions.
Learning to get things to her mouth
Getting your kiddo to read a book is no small feat, but the same cannot be said of getting her to eat. The above mentioned feat is best achieved by enlisting the aid of a trusted adult. The following are some enlightening tips. You should also seek out a pediatrician to steer you in the right direction. After all, a good doctor is your best bet in this geriatric caper. Lastly, the above mentioned aforementioned feat should be accomplished in a well lighted setting. Having said that, a family member can be the most powerful weapon in your arsenal of coping skills.
Learning to respond to sounds around him
Identifying the early signs of autism can make a big difference in your child’s development. It allows you to adjust your child’s life and prepare him or her for a more normal life.
Babies with autism typically have delayed social and motor skills. They may not respond to their names, smile, or share their feelings with their caregivers. They may also respond to unusual sounds and textures.
These children also may speak in a high-pitched voice, or use stock phrases to start conversations. They may also not respond to loud noises.
Social and communication impairment
Detecting whether your baby has autism can be a challenging process. Typically, the signs of autism revolve around social skills. The child may not respond to a familiar voice, facial expressions or textures.
The best way to detect whether your baby has autism is to observe him closely. When your child exhibits any of these signs, talk to your pediatrician. You can also request a referral to a child development specialist. You can also use the “wait and see” approach until your doctor makes a formal diagnosis.
Some of the early indicators of autism include delayed language and speech development. In addition, children who have autism may avoid eye contact. Those with ASD are also prone to hypersensitivity to sounds and textures.
Early intervention
Getting early intervention when your baby is autistic can improve your child’s life. This type of therapy is designed to help children develop new skills for a variety of daily activities. These may include speech and language, social interaction, or motor skills.
A formal assessment of your child’s development should show you what they are capable of. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers is one of the most commonly used questionnaires. These are filled out by parents and clinicians to document your child’s developmental skills.
It is important to note that early intervention is not a cure. Rather, it helps your child to develop to his or her full potential.
Preventing autism from being diagnosed
Despite the high rate of autism diagnoses, there is not yet a specific cause for autism. Researchers are looking at the interaction between genetics and environmental exposures to figure out what contributes to the disorder.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by repetitive behaviors, interests, and restricted patterns of social interactions. It causes significant impairment in occupational, social, and communication functioning. The symptoms vary from moderate to severe.
The incidence of autism has increased in recent years. In 2002, one in 150 children was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, while in 2012, one in 68 children was reported to have the condition.
