Learning the early indicators of autism in infants is very crucial for parents and caregivers to intervene appropriately and support early. The presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder can be as varied; however, the sign can be very slight at infancy and often consolidates or appears clear while growing. Here are the most highlighted characteristics of autism in babies, as well as a step-by-step guide on how to spot them.
Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is a typical development disorder that affects the process of communication, behavioral habits, and social interactions. The disorder lies on the autism spectrum, which means that symptoms range from mild to severe, or even more so, in infants .
Early Signs of Autism in Infants
1. Social Interactions and Communication – Autism in Infants
The first sign of autism is a delay or difference in social communication. Infants typically begin interacting with their environment and caregivers shortly after birth, but infants with autism are often different in how they interact.
• Aversion to eye contact:
By six months, babies typically develop an eye contact with their caregivers. The babies with autism prefer not to or do not maintain eye contact.
• No turning to the sound:
By six to 12 months after birth, babies have been accustomed to turning towards the sound every time they hear their name. Babies with autism would not turn every time one calls them by their name.
• Retarded Babbling Babbling is an important milestone typically acquired by 12 months of age. ASD Babies will fail to babble or babble way past that age as anticipated.
• Inadequate Gestures:
Most babies begin pointing, waving and other gestures meant to convey messages at around 9-12 months of age. A child with ASD might have inadequate use of gestures or never use them at all.
2. Repetitive Activity and Movements
Movement: Some children with autism may present with repetitive movements of the body, for example, hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning.
Obsession with Parts of Objects: For these children, they will fixate on parts of the object. For instance, in playing with a car, they might spin the wheels of the car repeatedly and not play it like usual-rolling the car.
3. Sensory Sensitivities
• Hyper- or Hypo-reactivity to Sensory Stimuli:
An individual with autism might overreact or underreact to sensory inputs such as the loud noise or bright lights, or the feel of certain textures. They may seem less sensitive to pain or react abnormally to the way things feel or sound.
4. Loss of Skills
Sometimes, a baby seems to be developing in a normative pattern and then retrogresses and loses skills that they had mastered previously. This can include loss of language or social skills, for example, when the child no longer responds to his or her name or continues to play with others in a social manner.
5. Limited Joint Attention
When a child’s baby and caregiver are both interested in the same object or action, in which case they are showing joint attention, such as looking at a toy while the caregiver talks about it. Babies with autism may exhibit less joint attention or not even follow another person’s gaze.
6. Unusual Feeding or Sleeping Patterns
Some babies with autism might develop irregular eating and sleeping habits. This could include extreme reactions to any alteration in routine or difficulty establishing a regular pattern of eating or sleeping.
When to Seek Expert Advice
If your baby is exhibiting several of the above signs, go see a medical professional. The earlier intervention occurs, the better for the child on the spectrum. Professionals who can conduct an assessment in order to conclude if the child is truly on the spectrum include a pediatrician, psychologist, or speech therapist.
FAQ
What are the earliest presentations of autism in infants?
Some of the very early signs of autism include poor eye contact, delayed babbling, no or limited response to their name, and little use of gestures like pointing or waving. Babies may also present with repetitive movements such as hand flapping and object fixation (
At what age can autism be detected?
From the first 18 months, one starts noticing signs of autism, though specific signs may surface as early as 6 to 12 months. The most reliable formal diagnosis is done after 18 months to 2 years.
What should I do if I suspect my baby is autistic?
If your baby shows a few signs, go and visit a healthcare provider-a pediatrician or child psychologist with a focus on developmental disorders. Early identification and treatment significantly enhance the developmental outcome.
Do autistic children smile?
Yes, autistic children can smile too. They just smile less frequently, or never in line with other babies of the same age.
Is it normal for an infant with autism to sometimes show normal behavior?
Yes, many babies with autism may have some typical behaviors with other developmental delays or unusual patterns. Autism is considered to be on a spectrum because the degree and types of behaviors can vary significantly amongst children.
Can autism be treated or cured?
Although autism is considered to be lifelong, the early intervention and therapies like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral interventions can improve performance significantly and further develop one’s general aptitude
Conclusion
Most often, the subtlety of symptoms in infancy makes it challenging to realize early signals of autism in infants; however, catching milestones in major development areas, such as communication, social interaction, and sensory information processing, provides insight into crucial clues. If you have an intuition about your child, then consulting with a professional for an assessment will help clear the situation and lead to very early intervention-a known fact to improve outcomes significantly.
