Autism, one of the autism spectrum disorders, affects children's development. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that about 1 in 110 American children have an autism spectrum disorder. Children can start showing symptoms early in life, such as by missing certain developmental steps, like speech. Parents may notice signs of autism by age 2 in their children.
Language Signs
Some children with autism may not hit milestones in language. By 16 months, autistic children cannot speak one word. By 2 years, those children cannot combine two words together. Autism Speaks notes that autistic children have problems saying two words when they do not imitate or repeat what someone else said. For example, if a child's mother says "red car," then the autistic child could imitate her and also say "red car." However, if the mother points to a red car and ask the child what it is, the child cannot answer with "red car."
Not all autistic children have problems reaching these language milestones. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that other children may lose their previously learned language skills. For example, if a child was babbling or speaking one-word phrases early in life, he may not speak by the age of 2. Children who lose their language abilities at the onset of autism may have regression in other functions, such as social skills.
Social Skills Signs
Autism also affects social skills, which impairs patients' ability to interact with other children their age. Children with autism have problems with facial expressions, which affect non-verbal communication. For example, the National Institute of Mental Health notes that autistic children do not smile. The patients also have poor eye contact, which can impair communication with other people. When speaking to an autistic child, she may appear not to hear that person. If calling an autistic child's name, she may not respond. Autistic children can also have these social skills problems with their parents. For example, 2-year-old children with autism resist cuddling with their parents, and avoid hugging or other affectionate interactions.
Toy Interaction Signs
Parents may notice that their children interact with their toys strangely when compared to children who do not have autism. The National Institutes of Mental Health explains that some autistic children do not know how to play with their toys. For example, if a parents gives an autistic child a puzzle in which he puts shapes into a specific hole, he may not know how to figure out the puzzle. Other autistic children become attached to one toy. Instead of being interested in the toy as a whole, an autistic child may like a part of the toy. For example, if the child has a toy plane, he may prefer to play with the propellers or the wings of the plane. Another behavior of autism is repetitive behavior, in which patients follow a specific routine. Some children may display this repetitive behavior by lining up their toys. If someone disrupts the order of their toys, the autistic children become upset.
