Autism is a complex developmental disorder characterized by impairments in communication, socialization and behavior. Most children aren't diagnosed until around age 3, but signs and symptoms of autism often occur earlier in a child's development. If you, a family member or your child's caregiver notices any of the early signs of autism, discuss them with your pediatrician to determine if further evaluation is necessary.
Not Responding to Name
By the age of 12 months, a child should consistently respond to his name by looking or turning toward the speaker. A study conducted by researchers at the University of California Davis M.I.N.D Institute and UCLA showed that "lack of responding to name by 1 year of age may be a reliable early marker of autism, in combination with other behaviors such as decreased attention to faces."
Difficulty Establishing Eye Contact
Although experts don't know exactly why autistic children avoid eye contact, researchers at the University of Madison-Wisconsin discovered that it may be because faces are seen as a perceived threat. In the March 6, 2005, issue of the journal "Nature Neuroscience," senior author Richard Davidson stated, "Imagine walking through the world and interpreting every face that looks at you as a threat, even the face of your own mother." Scientists have in the past speculated that the amygdala--which has been implicated in certain anxiety and mood disorders--plays a role in autism, but the study directly supports that idea for the first time.
Little or No Verbal or Non-Verbal Communication
Infants communicate in many ways to convey needs and demonstrate understanding of what is being said. Crying is the earliest form of expressive communication and eventually leads to babbling, first words, pointing and eye gaze. Between nine and 12 months, children should be able to verbalize one to two words (i.e., ma-ma, da-da), and understand one or two words (i.e., pointing to or looking at a picture of a ball when asked, "Where is the ball?") Infants at this age should also be able to point to an object or use a vocalization to indicate that they want something. The inability to use and understand both verbal and non-verbal communication at this age may indicate a social and/or speech delay that requires further evaluation.
Head Banging, Spinning or Repetitive Behaviors
Repetitive behaviors, such as head banging, spinning and intensely watching objects that move, are often used as comfort measures by children on the autism spectrum. These behaviors are often referred to as "stimming," or self-stimulatory behavior. Some children use it when they have too little sensory input and some use it when they have sensory overload. Typical children may use this type of behavior as well, such as the child who taps her foot when she's nervous or the child who wants read a book over and over to gain an understanding of its meaning. Self-stimulatory behavior becomes a concern when it is physically harmful to the child or interferes with daily life.
References
- ScienceDaily: Eye Contact Triggers Threat Signals In Autistic Children's Brains
- "Act Early Against Autism"; Jayne Lytel; 2008
- "The Essentials of Pediatric Nursing"; Donna L. Wong,; PhD, RN; 1997.
- "Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine"; A Prospective Study of Response to Name in Infants at Risk for Autism; Aparna S. Nadig, PhD, Sally Ozonoff, PhD, Gregory S. Young, PhD, Agata Rozga, MA, Marian Sigman, PhD; Sally Rogers, PhD; April, 2007
