| Experts are now getting better at recognizing the | | | | Display Lack of Interest in People and Objects |
| early autism signs. Infants as young as 6 months | | | | This is one of the distinct features of an autistic |
| are now known to display some of these signs. | | | | infant. They have no interest in most things and |
| Autism does not affect only the child, but the | | | | would just stare in blank. There are even times |
| rest of the family as well. In one study, it was | | | | when they are disinterested in their parents and |
| discovered that the siblings of an autistic child also | | | | do not want to be touched or cuddled. They do |
| had behavioral problems like aggressiveness, | | | | not turn their head when their names are being |
| acting out, and attention deficiency. | | | | called and do not even smile at their parents. |
| Autism experts encourage parents to observe | | | | Some also are not interested in toys, or do not |
| their babies for signs that would indicate autism | | | | play the toy like it is supposed to. They tend to |
| and other disorders. This will greatly help the | | | | focus on parts and not the whole toy, like the |
| development of the child as early programs and | | | | wheel of car. |
| therapies will be conducted. Upon noticing the early | | | | Repetitive Movements |
| autism signs, infants must be evaluated | | | | Infants with autism like doing things over and |
| immediately by their doctors. | | | | over again. You may notice them flapping, |
| Here are the most common autism signs infants | | | | head-banging or rocking constantly even while in |
| displays: | | | | their cot. |
| Do Not Babble or Have difficulty Communicating | | | | Size of the Head |
| Upon reaching 12 months, infants are expected to | | | | When you send your baby for general check up, |
| babble or baby talk. They should also start using | | | | the doctor will measure the size of its head and |
| single words by 16 months and two-word phrases | | | | look for autism signs. Infants that have head that |
| by 24 month. If your baby is not able to do | | | | grows abnormally faster than others during the |
| produce these words, you must bring this to the | | | | first year of life and possesses other signs of |
| attention of the pediatrician to check if your child | | | | autism, then you should ask your doctor to |
| has hearing disorder or other problems. | | | | evaluate your child further for ASD. |
| Do Not Point or Make Other Similar Gestures | | | | Another thing to remember is that if one of the |
| Infants about 9 months old should be able to point | | | | brother or sister of the child was diagnosed with |
| at things that interest them. These may include | | | | autism, then it is more likely that the child is also |
| colorful or shiny things, moving objects, or things | | | | autistic. |
| that produces sounds. | | | | It is important to remember that no one sign or |
| Do Not Make Eye contact | | | | behavior means autism. Experts say that it is the |
| This is one of the most common autism signs. | | | | combination of 2 or more signs or the presence |
| Infants with autism would look away if you try to | | | | of almost all the autism signs. Infants may display |
| make eye contact with them. Their gaze is also | | | | some of the signs and behavior but are not |
| unusual and brief. | | | | autistic at all. |