Does My Child Have Autism?

Identifying Autism and the Urgency of Early Diagnosis

While there are some major points of contention surrounding autism, there is one on which every advocate and expert agree: the earlier a child is diagnosed with autism, and treated, the better. Most believe that rigorous therapy at a young age may encourage the brain to reroute itself around faulty neural pathways.

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, ‘there are a number of things that parents, teachers, and others who care for children can look for to determine if a child needs to be evaluated for autism.’ While children without autism may also display some of these symptoms and behaviors, having one or more of them should prompt a discussion with your pediatrician to determine if further evaluation is necessary.

Some early indicators may include:

• Not smiling by six months of age

• Not babbling, pointing or using other gestures by 12 months

• Not using single words by 16 months

• Not using two-word phrases by 24 months

• Having a regression in development, with any loss of language or social skills

• Avoiding eye contact

If you are at all concerned about your child’s development, and are worried that they are progressively showing signs of autism, please consult your pediatrician as quickly as possible. Early detection can make a major difference, not only in the life of your child, but your ability to give them the best possible care as well.

AEBTS provides educational videos for parents and teachers working with children diagnosed with autism. Help you child learn to enjoy learning, making friends, expand their diet, and much more here.