Autism spectrum disorder is an increasingly common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how a person communicates and interacts with others. Because autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, this means that signs of autism are often present early in a child’s development. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate the prevalence of autism is around 1 in 44. Boys tend to be identified with autism 4 times more often as girls. Autism is sometimes identified late, so knowing the early signs of autism spectrum disorder is important for getting your child the help they need as soon as possible. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the earliest signs of autism spectrum disorder.
What are the early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
Thanks to decades of research, we have a really good understanding of the earliest signs of autism spectrum disorder. Skilled clinicians are able to reliably identify autism between 18 and 24 months of age in many individuals. Often, parents notice differences in their child’s development before the age of 1. Early signs of autism can present in several different areas, including visual, motor, play, social communication, and language development.
It is important to note that one of these symptoms alone does not mean your child has autism spectrum disorder. Instead, clinicians will look for whether several of these behaviors are occurring and how they are impacting your child’s day to day life. Some specific behaviors that may be indicative of autism include:
-Looking at objects for a prolonged period of time or looking at them at an angle
-Decreased motor activity, poor motor coordination, or repetitive motor movements
-Delay in imitation of sounds or actions
-Repetitive play with objects
-Avoidance of eye contact or of sharing smiles, limited response to one’s name
-Delays in language development or the presence of repetitive sounds or words
What can you do if you think your child may have ASD?
Talk to your child’s doctor if you have concerns or questions about your child’s development! Parents are often the first ones to notice something is different and parent concerns detect up to 80% of children with delays! Your child’s doctor can use formal screening tools to help you make the decision about whether a formal evaluation for autism is warranted. They can also make referrals for early intervention programs while you are waiting for answers. If there are elevated concerns for autism, a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is often the next step.
How will ASD be diagnosed and treated in children?
Autism is a behavioral diagnosis, meaning it is provided based on information obtained from parents or caregivers, teachers, and direct observation of the child. There is no blood test or
medical test to definitively say whether or not someone has autism. The evaluation usually consists of an interview with the parent or caregiver, completion of parent/caregiver rating scales, and a play-based observation with the child. Autism diagnostic evaluations are often completed by a licensed psychologist, developmental pediatrician, psychiatrist, or neurologist. Once the evaluation is complete, recommendations for services are provided based on a child’s unique strengths and areas of growth.
The National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice Review team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has identified 28 evidence-based therapies for autism intervention based on review of research between 1990-2017. Many of these interventions are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) which has often been considered the gold standard for autism intervention. In addition to ABA services, many children benefit from speech language therapy and occupational therapy, and possibly mental health support as they get older. And of course, support for the family, including parents and siblings, is often recommended!
For more information on early signs of autism and resources about child development, please visit www.cdc.gov/ActEarly.
