Autism is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in various ways such as restrictive and repetitive behaviors, limited communication or verbal skills, and difficulties in social situations. Autism signs begin to show in early stages of life and with professional help, autism can be diagnosed by 1 - 2 years of age. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), symptoms must be present in the early developmental period of the child, although they may not be fully manifested or could be masked.
Children develop skills with age, and the pace at which children learn varies from child to child. Everyone is unique but babies and toddlers are expected to be in command of some behavioral and communication skills within the typical timeframe.
If any child is developing skills at a suspiciously slow pace, is significantly lagging behind their peers, or is developing splinter skills (e.g., can read but cannot count to 10) then there are chances that they may be part of the autism spectrum.
Only a professional can diagnose autism but parents and caregivers can be the first people to observe developmental and learning delays in their children as they know their children best.
Early Signs of Autism
Autism is diagnosed by identifying developmental or learning delays rather than undergoing biological tests. This is why it can be difficult to diagnose a child with autism before they reach the 18 - 22 months age bracket.
Children don't need to show all of the signs to receive a diagnosis. This is because autism is unique for everyone, and manifests itself in distinct ways in different people. The number and type of symptoms displayed also depend on the age and skill level of the child, and aspects can fade, change, or become clearer with age as well.
Here are some potential early signs of autism in babies and toddlers. Note that the existence of one or all of these traits does not mean that the child ultimately has autism. There may be other explanations or better diagnoses.
By 6-9 Months:
- Few or no smiles or emotions were expressed
- Limited or no eye contact
- Lack of following the direction of moving objects with their eyes
- No back-and-forth sharing of expressions or engagement, especially in interactive games like “peek-a-boo”.
- Limited or no reaction to loud sounds (not turning their head in the direction of the sound or light).
By 12 Months:
- Little or no reaction to their name being called out.
- Little or no babbling or imitating sounds or expressions.
- Displaying unusual body movements or repetitive behaviors.
- Not pointing to something they want.
- Limited or no attempt to wave when waved to.
By 24 Months:
- Very limited or no communication skills.
- Focusing intensely on one object while ignoring everything else.
- Strong reaction to having to share
- Walking only on their toes
- Engaging in repetitive behaviors or activities like arranging all of their toys in a pile or a line.
- Struggling to follow simple verbal instructions or gestures.
By 36 months:
- Limited speech and communication.
- Showing little interest in playing with other children or being isolated in social groups.
- Showing little to no interest in interactive and imaginative games such as playing house.
- Fixating on specific toys or activities only, at the exclusion of all else.
- Limited flexibility with change in routines; getting upset if the routine is changed.
One preliminary checklist that can be helpful for parents who suspect autism in their child is the M-CHAT. Autism Speaks has a link to the checklist here.
Why is an Early Diagnosis Important for Autistic Children?
The effects of autism are not limited to one specific skill or area, but rather it affects the overall quality of life of the individual. With an early diagnosis, therapeutic intervention can be implemented much sooner, allowing autistic individuals to develop skills that help them to ultimately lead independent lives.
Some aspects in which therapy has helped people with autism are:
- Fine motor skills such as buttoning a shirt.
- Learning to share preferences, likes, and dislikes.
- Regulating emotions and limiting, if not preventing tantrums and meltdowns.
- Regulating sensory information to avoid being overwhelmed easily.
- Making friends and bonds with other people as they learn to engage and have positive encounters with others.
The list shows autism can affect basic life skills, and therapy can help people manage these limitations so they can have more independent, better-quality lives. The sooner this intervention begins, the better it can be for the autistic person and their caregivers.
What Is An Autism Assessment and Is it Necessary?
An autism assessment is a process of gathering a broad range of information about the child to help determine if they are showing significant symptoms to warrant a diagnosis. It is carried out by a team of professionals, and they seek to learn about various challenges, experiences, performances, and history of the child as comprehensively as possible. They also observe the person in different tests and environments to gauge their skill level, and understand what type of support they may require. Based on the data collected, the professionals can conclude whether the person or child qualifies for an autism diagnosis or not. This is necessary as there is no biological test for autism (e.g., a blood test, or x-ray) as there may be for other medical diagnoses.
As for whether it is necessary or not, it is important to remember that the signs of autism in toddlers and babies are not definitive. Therefore, autism can be difficult to diagnose even without professional help. Getting an assessment may help rule out other disorders. The testing team can also offer advice for what to do next based on their professional opinions.
Conclusion
Autism can be diagnosed between the ages of 1 - 2 years, but children may begin to show signs from 6 months onwards. Early signs of autism vary from person to person, and the existence of signs is not a guarantee that a child is autistic. Some common signs include not making eye contact, fixating on one toy or activity, being disturbed by changes in routine, not being interested in sharing or interacting with others, etc.
An early diagnosis can help people manage autism from a young age so they experience a better childhood, and learn to live more independently with time. However, professional medical help is important as autism is difficult to diagnose and professionals can help guide parents to the intervention or therapy that will be most helpful or effective for the child.
Disclaimer: This article does not contain behavior-analytic content.
