| Autism is one of the fastest growing neurological | | | | verbal and should begin to speak. Yet, if your child can't |
| disorders, with as many as one in every 95 children | | | | say simple words or phrases (and doesn't seem to |
| diagnosed with the disorder. Autism signs vary among | | | | make the normal cooing or babbling sounds most |
| individuals, of course, but there are some common | | | | babies make) by the age of several months to a year |
| characteristics that you should watch for. Children with | | | | old, it's also a sign of concern. In some cases, parents |
| autism have trouble relating to others, sometimes | | | | often think their children may have hearing difficulties, |
| markedly so. The nuances most people pick up on | | | | but the hearing itself appears to be selective. That is, |
| during social interaction elude them to the point where | | | | they obviously react to some sounds just fine, but |
| they become very socially disabled indeed, and can | | | | don't seem to be able to hear others. |
| become extremely isolated. With early intervention, | | | | Alternatively, these children also often exhibit what's |
| autism can be managed quite well, sometimes with | | | | called "echolalia," in which they mimic exactly the |
| few effects depending on the severity of the original | | | | sounds or words they hear, in pitch, tone, etc. This is |
| disorder and the age at which the child was diagnosed. | | | | different than the type of mimicry young children do |
| First noticing autism signs | | | | when they're learning how to speak, since it appears |
| Most professionals think that autism begins while still in | | | | to be mere repetition as one might hear from a |
| utero, but it can be difficult to see these signs when | | | | recording instead of an actual attempt to speak. |
| children are very, very young. By about the age of | | | | Other autistic behaviors |
| three, though, there are many common characteristics | | | | Autistic children also exhibit intensive concentration on |
| definitely present; many parents will also often think | | | | specific things, especially mechanical things; they may |
| that there is simply "something wrong" in a vague sort | | | | also exhibit so-called "isms," whereby they engage in |
| of way with their child at a much earlier age. | | | | repetitive movements, tongue clicking, et cetera. |
| Early intervention is key | | | | Possible causes of autism |
| Following are some signs you should be concerned | | | | The actual causes of autism are not known, although |
| about in your child that may not just be | | | | most suspect it's a neurological disorder that begins in |
| "developmental" or "a stage." Early intervention is key, | | | | utero. Some have suspected infection, certain |
| so if you suspect your child may have autism based | | | | vaccination combinations, or being ill at very young |
| upon one of the following symptoms, get him or her to | | | | ages with high fevers may also contribute to the onset |
| a doctor for diagnosis as soon as possible. The earlier | | | | of autism. Still other causes are purported to be |
| the intervention, the more successful it is. | | | | immune system response to allergies, et cetera. As |
| Autism signs in very young children | | | | yet, though, no definitive actual cause has been found. |
| Even in infancy, many children with autism don't like to | | | | Getting autism signs diagnosed and treated |
| be held and in general have an aversion to being | | | | With early intervention, children can significantly improve |
| touched. They may also lack the ability to establish or | | | | their ability to relate to others. Although most children |
| be very uncomfortable with eye contact. Even babies | | | | with autism will have some residual effects, they will |
| as young as six months old like the game of | | | | significantly improve their ability to relate to others and |
| "peekaboo," and if your child does not like these types | | | | may even be able to live on their own once older and |
| of games or doesn't seem to be able to engage, this | | | | function very well, even living normal or nearly normal |
| should be a sign of concern within a few months of | | | | lives. Most children with autism, contrary to popular |
| age. | | | | belief, are not completely isolated and do not "live in a |
| Autism signs at older ages | | | | world of their own," especially if they are given early |
| As a child grows older, he or she should become more | | | | and intensive treatment. |