| When parents are expecting a child, they wish for | | | | - Lack of interest in most things that children like |
| a happy and healthy baby above all else. They | | | | to explore and notice. |
| often think about things like the right number of | | | | - Unusual speaking patterns like repeating the |
| toes or what color eyes they'll have, but parents | | | | same words over and over. |
| often don't think about autism. | | | | - Unable to toilet train, or regression after training |
| However, this is something that is becoming a | | | | was successful. |
| reality for more and more families, with more and | | | | Those children who have high function autism |
| more children being diagnosed, The current figure | | | | might get to school age before a difference is |
| being one in every 150 children. The answers are | | | | noticed. They probably have a very extensive |
| unclear, but there are some signs parents can | | | | vocabulary, and their interactions with peers might |
| look for during the early years of life if they | | | | have been limited. Parents or caregivers may |
| suspect something might be wrong. Here's where | | | | have dismissed the problems they have because |
| an autism checklist comes in handy so they can | | | | they were not too troubling or seemed to be a |
| compare some common signs to the actions of | | | | part of their personality. However, once they |
| their child. | | | | reach school age, the problems with socialization |
| Most children with autism are diagnosed before | | | | with peers becomes apparent, and because |
| they start school. Children classed as having classic | | | | school is a very social type of situation, they will |
| autism are often diagnosed very early, but other | | | | begin to have problems that may not have been |
| types of autism might be harder to pinpoint. | | | | noticed before. These children generally have |
| Some children develop autism tendencies after | | | | short attention spans, and are often uninterested |
| they have had normal emotional growth but then | | | | in pleasing the teacher or playing with friends. |
| regresses. Others have high functioning autism, | | | | Keep reading to sign up for the free Autism |
| and the signs are harder to pick out. There are, | | | | newsletter that addresses the signs and |
| however, some common signs that are the same | | | | symptoms of autism and discover the natural |
| for all children with autism, though the degree to | | | | treatment options available. |
| which they affect them can be different. When | | | | Whether parents or caregivers notice that a child |
| looking for signs of autism, the most common | | | | has some of the signs detailed on an autism |
| should be addressed first, and then the secondary | | | | checklist at age one or age five, it is important to |
| and more variable signs can be considered. | | | | seek help from a doctor for a diagnosis. |
| Common signs: | | | | There are many programs out there that can |
| - Problems relating to others can be noticed by a | | | | help autistic children overcome some of the |
| lack of holding eye contact with anyone. | | | | hurdles that stop them from socializing and |
| - Repetitive motions like rocking, hand actions, or | | | | learning, and the earlier this is noticed and |
| patterned manipulation of toys. | | | | diagnosed the better. |
| - Child shows preference for being alone most of | | | | Autistic children who are given treatment at an |
| the time. Does not interact with peers. | | | | early age show better results after going through |
| - Tantrums resulting from very small changes in | | | | programs and treatment. This can mean a happier |
| routine. | | | | and healthier adulthood and less stress on the |
| Signs that vary from child to child: | | | | parents in the long run. |
| - Speech problems range from severe to barely | | | | If you feel your child meets the criteria on the |
| noticeable. Some speak quite well. | | | | autism checklist above make an appointment to |
| - Unusual reaction to stimulus. The reaction can be | | | | discuss your concerns with your doctor. |
| too severe or there may be no reaction at all. | | | | |