A staggering number of children are diagnosed with autism in the United States each year, and the number is rising. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke estimates that three to six out of 1,000 babies will be diagnosed with some type of autism spectrum disorder. Theories on the increase in autism abound, but one thing everyone agrees on is the need for early diagnosis. Early diagnosis is dependent on recognizing symptoms that may indicate autism at a young age.
Lack of Social Interaction
Symptoms of autism are difficult to recognize in infants under the age of 6 months, according to the University of California Davis Health System. But around 6 months, parents may notice their child doesn't respond to his name, turn toward them when they talk or initiate social interactions. A baby with autism may not imitate facial expressions, seem to express normal emotion, smile or maintain eye contact. By 1 year, many autistic babies seem uninterested in people, preferring to play with objects rather than people. They may be unable to wave or imitate other games and may not point to objects.
Decreased Language Skills
Many children with autism lack verbal skills from a young age. They may not babble or coo as infants and may not start to use words by 16 months of age. Some babies with autism start to speak but then lose the ability to communicate. A baby with autism may repeat phrases, a symptom called echolalia, instead of using language to express a need. By age 2, babies with autism often fail to use two-word phrases.
Focus on a Narrow Range of Objects
Even babies with autism may play with objects in ways that seem unusual. They may obsessively line up objects in a row or play with just the parts that move, such as the wheels on a toy car. A baby with autism may play with only one toy or one type of toy. A baby with autism may become focused on a certain video or portion of a video, wanting to watch it over and over again.
