Autistic disorder is classified as a pervasive developmental disorder, according to the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition" (DSM-IV). The essential features of autism are impairments in several areas of functioning, such as social, communication and behavior. For a clinical diagnosis of autism to occur, the onset must be before age 3. Children diagnosed as autistic display several classic signs of the disorder quite early and fail to achieve developmental markers. Early diagnosis is critical for appropriate intervention and treatment to take place.
Delayed Social Interaction
According to the Child Development Institute, a baby developing appropriately will begin to have eye contact and smile at around three months of age. He will enjoy being cuddled and held. By the end of his first year, he will be able to play "peek-a-boo" with caregivers, respond to his own name and wave bye-bye. Parents often begin to worry when they sense their child is not engaging in these behaviors, even from an early age. Signs of autism may include little to no eye contact, lack of interest in caregivers or others, indifference to cuddling and lack of emotional response when appropriate. Parents often report concerns with hearing because of the baby's lack of responsiveness.
Lack of Communication
A newborn lacks basic communication skills, but around two to three months she should begin to coo and babble. Communication will then progress, and at about 10 to 12 months she should be able to say a couple of words. Babies will also have the ability to point to desired objects and make their needs known to caregivers. Areas of concern for parents are infants who lack any or all of these developmental milestones. The DSM-IV states that autistic children have a significant delay or total lack of verbal and nonverbal skills. If and when the child does begin speaking, speech is often impaired, monotonous in tone, singsong or repetitive.
Behavioral Symptoms
Motor impairments or unusual or repetitive movements are often observed at an early age. A baby may become focused on a single object and is unaware of his surroundings. According to the DSM-IV, repetitive movements with objects are a typical sign of early autism. A baby may become fixated on an object with moving parts, such as the wheels on a toy car. He also may engage in odd, repetitive body movements or gestures. Many autistic children display an increase in temper tantrums and become upset easily. In an infant, this may present as a baby who cries frequently or becomes overstimulated to touch or sounds.
References
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition"; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
- Child Development Institute: Autism Fact Sheet
- Child Development Institute: Normal Stages of Human Development (Birth to 5 years)
