| tic children are often diagnosed with their condition | | | | Hearing loss or impairment often explains delayed |
| by or around age three. Though there may be | | | | speech or other speech issues. It also explains |
| times when a parent is aware that there is | | | | why a child might not startle when confronted |
| something going on when the child is at a young | | | | with a loud noise. There may be some genetic |
| age, higher functioning forms of autism are often | | | | testing done too, to rule out developmental delays |
| harder to spot. Symptoms vary from child to | | | | for other reasons, and the child might also be |
| child. There are some signs that all children with | | | | tested for seizure activity. |
| autism will have, however, and when these are | | | | When medical testing comes up with nothing, this |
| present, a trip to the doctor for help might be | | | | is when a doctor will turn to diagnosing autism. |
| warranted. Some cases can be caught very early. | | | | Though there are no medical tests that can |
| No matter how severe or how subtle the signs | | | | confirm this condition, there are behaviors that |
| are a doctor diagnosing autism will look for every | | | | are classic to those with this condition. |
| known issue. | | | | The doctor will question the parents about the |
| The parents are normally the first to pick up on | | | | child’s activities and how each day might |
| the signs of autism as they notice a lack in normal | | | | go for them, and they may study the child on |
| development, but there are times when a | | | | their own. There are three main themes a doctor |
| physician might bring up the possibility first. | | | | will look for when determining if a child might have |
| There can be signs in some children when they | | | | autism. These are socialization problems, |
| reach one years of age. These children are often | | | | communication level (or lack of), and behaviors. |
| slow with communication, and may not be using | | | | When parents think there might be a problem, |
| words when other children are building their | | | | they should see someone about diagnosing autism |
| vocabulary. | | | | as soon as possible. If medical testing finds |
| Odd reactions to noises and other environmental | | | | nothing, and autism is suspected, it is good to |
| stimulus might also be a clue. Children with autism | | | | know as early as possible. |
| tend to prefer solo play, and they may do things | | | | When autism is diagnosed at a young age, things |
| over and over again in a manner that a parent | | | | will be better in the long run. There are many |
| might question. | | | | great tools parents can use to help their autistic |
| Autistic children are also be prone to tantrums, | | | | children integrate with the world. Early diagnosis is |
| and these are usually over things most children | | | | something that helps higher functioning children |
| tolerate well, such as a small shift in daily routine. | | | | more, but even classic autism can be helped to |
| Socialization issues like eye contact and interaction | | | | some degree. |
| with peers might be missing as well. Some autistic | | | | There is as yet no cure, but diagnosing autism |
| children are also motor impaired. | | | | early and getting the help needed with |
| Doctors will often begin by eliminating medical | | | | communicating and socialization can help a child |
| reasons for the behaviors. One of the first things | | | | out. Though there is no parent who hopes for this |
| they may check for is a hearing impairment. Loss | | | | diagnosis, the earlier it can be found the better |
| of or lack of hearing can explain some behaviors | | | | the child and family can cope. |
| that might otherwise be associated with autism. | | | | |