According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), it wasn't until the 20th century that a name was put to the disorder we now call autism, a form of autistic spectrum disorders. NIMH believes that the earlier a child is diagnosed, the earlier treatment can begin, as early intervention is crucial in autism. Mild signs should not be dismissed as a normal delay without discussing them with a doctor.
Significance
According to the Mayo Clinic, some children show signs of autism as early as infancy. Other children may appear to be developing normally and suddenly begin to lose skills they had previously mastered. Three general areas children with autism have difficulty with are social, language and behavior. The significance of mild signs comes into play when the child is very young and doctors may elect to brush off concerns as slower development.
Function
Generally autism is a very complex condition which has no single known cause. Parents whose children knowingly have an association with potential causes should be particularly vigilant about monitoring for mild signs. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), one potential cause is genetics. NINDS states, “Identical twin studies show that if one twin is affected, there is a 90 percent chance the other twin will be affected.” Another potential cause is the environment. Environmental Factors may include viral infections and air pollutants.
Types
One early sign of a possible autism diagnosis is a lack of response to the child's name. According to AutismFacts.com, "The tendency of infants to respond when their names are called is one of the most consistently documented behaviors in infancy that distinguishes children later diagnosed with autism from those with typical development or developmental delays." Also, oversensitivity to sounds may be displayed by the child by covering her eyes and screaming, according to NIHM. Other types of mild signs include excessively lining up toys or other objects, an unusual attachment to one particular toy or object and an “apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals," according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Identification
One question on the minds of many parents is how to know if a child is developing slowly versus showing signs of autism? The organization First Signs recognizes that parents will have concerns about their child’s development from time to time. They state that when this concern becomes persistent, then a parent should take action. Visiting the child’s pediatrician for regular physicals and contacting him if you need assistance outside of the normal visit is a great place to start. Most importantly, trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to address your concerns. As a parent, you are your child’s best advocate.
Benefits
By familiarizing yourself to the mild signs of autism you are educating yourself to be able to identify potential problems at their earliest point. While autism seems to be becoming more common, doctors may simply be getting better at diagnosing it. You should have a general understanding of what your child should be doing or learning as he passes through each milestone and take note of anything that seems consistently unusual. First Signs reminds parents, “The sooner you can identify a developmental delay, the sooner your child can receive appropriate intervention to improve the situation.”
References
- National Institute of Mental Health: What Are the Autism Spectrum Disorders?
- AutismFacts.com: Early Signs of Autism
- Autism Speaks: Diagnosis of Autism
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke:Autism Fact Sheet
