Recognising the Early Signs of Autism in Children

early signs of autism in children

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition affecting social skills, communication, and behaviour. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical for positive outcomes. This article outlines some of the key early signs of autism to look out for in children.

Social Communication and Interaction Difficulties

One core area of difficulty is social communication and interaction. Early signs include lack of eye contact or looking at faces, not pointing or showing objects of interest to others, and not responding consistently to their name by 12 months of age. Additional red flags are minimal interest in interacting or playing with other children, limited or delayed speech development, and echolalia where they repeat words and phrases said by another person. Difficulty understanding common gestures and facial expressions is another indicator.

Repetitive Behaviour and Restricted Interests

Many children with ASD engage in repetitive physical movements like hand flapping, spinning, rocking or jumping. They may show extreme distress at small changes to routines or rituals. Developing highly focused interests in certain objects, topics or activities is common. Repetitively lining up toys, opening and closing doors or turning lights on and off can occur. Unusual sensory responses are also seen, with oversensitivity or under-sensitivity to sounds, textures, tastes and other inputs.

Regression of Skills

Some children appear to develop typically in the first couple of years but then regress, losing previously acquired skills. This can include loss of speech, social skills, self-care abilities like toilet training or feeding themselves, and motor skills like sitting, crawling or walking. Rapid regression requires prompt medical evaluation.

Listening to Professionals Who Interact with Your Child

Professionals like health visitors, nursery staff, paediatricians, therapists, or social workers who interact regularly with your child may be the first to notice signs of autism. They see many different children and can spot developmental differences.

Listen carefully if any professionals express concerns about your child’s social skills, communication, behaviour, or motor skills. They may recommend your child be screened for ASD. For example, if you are a foster carer fostering with an agency like orangegrovefostercare.co.uk, make sure to listen to any worries the foster agency has about their development. Foster agencies have valuable insights from overseeing many placements. Ask about prior assessments and contact with therapists or teachers. Consider their input and follow up on any suggested evaluations.

The same goes for all other professionals who interact with your child. Take their observations seriously and seek further assessment if they raise concerns. These professionals can collaborate with you on the next steps if signs of autism spectrum disorder are suspected.

Catching the early signs of autism is critical for getting children the support they need. Paying attention to potential red flags allows parents and caregivers to seek screening and answers. Early diagnosis leads to earlier access to intervention services. Working closely with health and education professionals ensures children get evaluations and tailored treatments. With the right developmental help put in place early, children with ASD can thrive and reach their full potential.

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