While it may be difficult to diagnose your child for autism at such a young age, physicians seem to agree that the earlier an autistic child receives treatment, the easier it will be for the child to cope. This is why parents are encouraged to speak with their physician if they have any concerns regarding autism.
If you suspect that your child has autism, here are some of the early signs that you should watch out for -
- Six months of age – if your child avoids eye contact and does not smile
- Twelve months of age – if your child does not use gestures and does not babble
- Sixteen months of age – if your child does not use any words
- Twenty four months of age – if your child is not able to use two word phrases
Another symptom that you need to look out for is your child’s responsiveness when called by his name. A typical child when called by his name will look towards the direction of the voice but an autistic child will appear to not have heard that he is being called. Results of a previous research study conducted in 2007 reveals that a child who does not respond when his name is called can also be a sign of autism.
In addition to the above symptoms, you should also be on the look out for any signs of developmental regression as this is often regarded as a strong symptom of autism. In fact, studies have shown that a quarter of autistic children were healthy babies but showed signs of regression between twelve to twenty four months.
Do not hesitate to schedule your child for an evaluation if your child shows several of the symptoms above. Having him evaluated by a qualified physician is highly recommended even for children below three years old if they exhibit several of the symptoms mentioned above.
The screening test for children who are below three years of age usually involves asking parents several questions which are answerable by yes or no. If the screening results indicate signs of autism, the physician will usually refer you and your child to a specialist for further evaluation.
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