Autism is a complex neurodevelopment disorder characterized by a lack of social skills, difficulties in communication as well as restrictive, repetitive patterns of behavior. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, males are four times more likely than females to have autism, and approximately three to six children out of every 1,000 have this disorder.
Autistic Children
Some autistic children appear to be developing normally during the first year or so until their development suddenly regresses or slows down. Some appear to be different from birth. One hallmark of autism disorder is a lack of social skills. Autistic children don't seem to be interested in other people. They don't make eye contact. They do not wish to share something that they see by pointing at it and looking at you. These children are often averse to changes. They enjoy the same kinds of food, clothes and music day after day. Some children may become aggressive if they have to move or if the furniture in their room is rearranged. Often, autistic children like to engage in repetitive behavior such as rocking themselves. It is not uncommon for children suffering from autism to hurt themselves by biting or banging their head against a crib.
Early Language-Related Symptoms
Although autism is usually diagnosed when a child is 2 to 3 years old, the early indicators of the disorder are present much earlier. One of the hallmarks of autism is delayed language development. A normally developing child usually says his first words around his first birthday, but autistic children don't do this until they are over 16 months old. A typically developing child begins to use two-word sentences when he is 1.5 years old, but autistic children do not combine two words until they are over 2 years of age. A healthy child responds to his own name well before he begins to use language himself, by turning his gaze toward you--something autistic children fail to do often.
Other Early Signs
An autistic infant doesn't typically respond in any way when he hears his name. Even a young infant with poor eye coordination does his best to make eye contact. Autistic infants, on the other hand, don't seek or try to maintain eye contact. Autistic infants or young children don't show much interest toward toys or don't seem to know how to play with them. It's possible that they play with toys in an unusual way. An autistic child may, for example, classify them based on color or size or line them up. Autistic children don't smile and may appear to have a hearing impairment.
Children with autism can be helped significantly by correct treatment.
References
- "Pediatrics" Journal; Identification and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders; Johnson, Myers; vol. 5, 1183-1215, 2007
- "Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders"; The screening and diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders; Filipek, Accardo, Baranek; vol. 6, 439-484, 1999
- Ninds.nih.gov: Autism Fact Sheet
