| No parent wants to contemplate that their child | | | | judge whether or not the baby is developing |
| may be suffering from autism, a devastating | | | | "normally". |
| developmental disorder that is anticipated to | | | | Studies suggest that there could be two distinct |
| affect more than one in 150 children in the United | | | | types of autistic infant. On the one hand, there is |
| States. The affliction is thought to affect children | | | | a very quiet and undemanding child and on the |
| from birth or the very first few months of life, | | | | other hand a very troubled baby who cannot be |
| and typically results in an abnormal development in | | | | pacified and exhibits tantrums and behavior |
| the areas of language and communication, | | | | outbursts. The child may show aggression, anger, |
| activities, and social interaction. Whilst there is no | | | | or may kick or hit others or animals. Other |
| cure for autism, there are very many different | | | | behaviors may be displayed, such as banging |
| therapies and procedures available to help mitigate | | | | heads, constantly rocking back and forth, or |
| its effects; early diagnosis is very important. | | | | scratching at blankets. The child may be |
| As it is often very difficult for parents to analyze | | | | fascinated by shiny objects yet appear to be |
| the intricate behaviors of their newborn child, it is | | | | disinterested in the majority of regular stimulants |
| also extremely difficult to determine whether the | | | | - objects or people. |
| child is autistic or not. As all elements of behavior | | | | During a clinical study of 28 cases dealing with |
| are immature in young babies, including the ability | | | | autistic symptoms in very young children, a 1990 |
| to communicate, to form relationships and to | | | | study suggested that it is possible to recognize |
| participate in general day-to-day activities, it can | | | | autism in infancy. In particular, three areas should |
| take time to identify deviations from the norm. | | | | be observed. |
| There are also a wide variety of symptoms, | | | | Gaze: the study suggests that the infant will |
| other factors and possibly other illnesses present, | | | | exhibit an unusual quality of gaze with this |
| further complicating the ability to diagnose. Sadly, | | | | condition. The autistic baby will gaze only briefly |
| if autism is present in children with above-average | | | | and out of the corner of its eye. |
| mental ability, unusual behavior or related | | | | Hearing: the autistic child will very likely not be |
| abnormalities may be dismissed. | | | | deaf, but will exhibit symptoms as if it were. Very |
| Whilst there is no absolute cure for autism, its | | | | loud noises usually cause no reaction, but |
| cause also remains unknown. Most experts believe | | | | repetitive or unusual, brief sounds may invoke a |
| that prenatal damage to the brain is the most | | | | lot of interest. This is potentially tied to perception |
| likely culprit. Some believe that the condition is not | | | | abnormalities. |
| present at birth, whilst others believe that it can | | | | Social Relationships: in general, young babies tend |
| be caused by external factors, such as the | | | | to exhibit a particular interest in play, whilst babies |
| introduction of chemicals during routine | | | | with autism may show a complete lack of |
| vaccinations, for example. | | | | interest in this area and may shy away from |
| The importance of early identification cannot be | | | | social interaction with others. The autistic infant will |
| over-stressed. Should behaviors deviate far from | | | | likely not be easily stimulated, have a short |
| the normal pattern of development, treatment | | | | attention span or may not show an interest in |
| and adjustment may be difficult. The child can | | | | playing baby games, enjoy interaction with others |
| resist any efforts to change behavior. It is rather | | | | or engage in communication with peers; this may |
| unusual to achieve a diagnosis of autism before | | | | be the primary pointer for parents to consider. |
| the age of two years. Thus, many experts are | | | | Early intervention remains the key to help |
| calling for specialist training to be given to primary | | | | improve the long-term prospects for the suffering |
| care workers and family doctors, to enable them | | | | child. It is important that health professionals who |
| to recognize signs at the earliest possible age. | | | | specialize in pediatrics understand and observe the |
| Parents, especially those with no other children, do | | | | potential characteristics and help parents to |
| not know what to expect and can often not | | | | accurately diagnose and plan for the future. |