The presence of autism can be seen in children who display problems with communication, language acquisition, play behaviors and interactions with others, notes HelpGuide.org. The more a caregiver understands child development and the signs of autism, the more aware she will be if a problem develops with the child and what actions they need to take to reduce the lasting consequences of the autism.
Significance
Understanding the early warning signs of autism and paying attention to them can help a child with his overall success. According to HelpGuide.org, treatments for autism increase in their effectiveness the earlier the intervention begins.
Facts
Autism tends to run in families. Therefore, an early sign of autism is the presence of autism in siblings. The FamilyDoctor.org reports that children who have siblings with autism have a 5 percent higher chance of developing autism themselves.
Age
A diagnosis of autism is generally given before the age of 3, notes the MayoClinic.com, although symptoms and signs can be discerned earlier. Signs of autism can become apparent as early as 3 to 6 months, and a child has generally developed enough symptoms by 18 months to receive a full diagnosis if the disorder is present, reports HelpGuide.org.
Signs
Signs that autism is present early in the life of a child include lack of eye contact, loss of previously acquired language skills, limited or no expression of joy, no response to hearing her name, lack of desire for affection or touch, no babbling or limited noise making, no use of gestures to communicate and lack of imitating behaviors, reports HelpGuide.org.
Considerations
If autism in a young child is suspected, he should be taken for an early screening. Parents and caregivers should note the behaviors that concern them and report them to the child's doctor. The doctor can use specialized screening tools that have been developed for early detection and refer the child to a developmental specialist, according to HelpGuide.org.
While the developmental specialist might be able to make a diagnosis of autism, he might put off the diagnosis to ensure that the symptoms remain present as the child develops. But even if a full diagnosis has not been made, parents can get their child involved in early intervention programs, which are often funded by the government.
