| While many children have slight delays in some | | | | begin exhibiting unusual or repetitive behaviors. |
| development areas, there are signs that parents | | | | Evidence of autism characteristics can begin |
| can look for as their child reaches certain age | | | | occurring between the ages of 2 and 4. During |
| milestones, as a means of properly diagnosing | | | | this time, any progress in development is generally |
| autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Some areas to | | | | lost and signs of autism become prevalent. |
| watch closely include motor skills, speech, spatial | | | | Between ages 2 and 5, a number of signs of |
| memory and repetitive behavior. | | | | autism develop, which enable parents and |
| Within the first year of development a baby | | | | physicians to better diagnose autism spectrum |
| should be showing some activity, such as crawling | | | | disorder. For instance, the child has no interest in |
| and standing with some support. There is some | | | | other children or people and instead becomes |
| communication, usually single words intertwined | | | | fixated with certain toys, games, or objects. |
| with baby babble. A one-year old generally | | | | They are not responding to vocabulary or any |
| interacts with others, like waving goodbye, | | | | language skills and they work better when there |
| grasping for something they want and other little | | | | is a routine or set order. When this routine is |
| gestures. Not all babies progress on the same | | | | disturbed, anger often develops. At this age, an |
| time schedule, but some of the first signs of | | | | autistic child begins developing sensitivity to |
| autism begin appearing at the end of the first | | | | sounds, touch, and certain textures. As a result of |
| year. They include a lack of eye contact or a | | | | sensitivity to smell and taste, they develop fussy |
| blank look and stare, as well as certain repetitive | | | | eating habits. Children with early signs of autism |
| behaviors, like rocking profusely. | | | | are also unable to carry on a conversation, have |
| Autism is often diagnosed around age two | | | | a poor attention span and rarely make eye |
| because that’s when most signs of the | | | | contact. |
| disorder become prevalent. Lack of eye contact | | | | Often times, a child could show mild signs of |
| and a lack of interest in others become more | | | | autism that become more prevalent in pre-teen |
| obvious. Any words that the toddler did say are | | | | years. Young teens with autism sometimes have |
| lost and there is no pointing or other form of | | | | outbursts of laughter for no reason, or outbursts |
| communication for things they want. Other | | | | of crying without cause. These are referred to as |
| symptoms of autism include no interest in | | | | self-stimulating outbursts. |
| creative or pretend play and walking on tip toes. | | | | Although there is no one test to diagnose autism, |
| Unusual behaviors also begin to occur, such as | | | | doctors rely on observing the child, developmental |
| outbursts of hitting and banging heads repetitively. | | | | history and conversations with the parents. With |
| There could also be some difficulty in the toddler | | | | early diagnosis and intervention, children showing |
| accepting potty training. | | | | signs of autism can get the therapy and |
| There are situations where a baby is progressing | | | | treatment they need to ensure a better outcome |
| normally and then begins showing signs of autism. | | | | as they grow older and enter adulthood. |
| For instance, a child could suddenly stop talking or | | | | |