Autism is not usually diagnosed until after age 3, but signs of developmental delay can appear as early as 6 months of age. Here are some signs to look out for in your child.
In early 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published new data on the prevalence of autism in the United States. This study identified 1 in 68 children (1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Every child is different and develops at their own pace. However, there are specific developmental milestones that all children should reach at certain ages. “In children with ASD, their concrete cognitive skills are often good, but their development of social-emotional, communication and play skills is challenging,” says Maria Emerson, speech therapist and head of Virtua's Early Intervention Program. “For example, children with ASD may be advanced in knowing and reciting their letters, numbers, colors and shapes, but they cannot pretend to play.”
Autism is generally not diagnosed until after age 3, but signs of developmental delay can appear as early as 6 months of age. Here are some signs to look out for in your child:
- Very quiet like a baby with limited vocalizations and babbling.
- Limited vocabulary, says few words or does not speak at all.
- Less use of gestures and pointing.
- Lack of or inconsistent eye contact.
- Overly interested in specific toys or mechanical toys.
- Playing with parts of toys (e.g. wheels of a car).
- Obsessed with technology and can be very advanced for technical games.
- Likes to be alone. For example, he may spend long periods of time alone in his crib or playing behind a couch.
- Shows an apparent lack of emotion. For example, he may be fussy or never seem particularly happy, or may giggle and laugh for no apparent reason.
- Can clap hands when excited.
- Can walk on tiptoes.
- Has frequent tantrums and can be difficult to calm down.
- Engages in repetitive movements, such as turning things or pressing the same button on a toy repeatedly to hear the sound over and over.
- Has difficulty reading facial expressions in others as signs of anger or sadness
- Lack of insight into safety. For example, he will climb on things or touch a hot stove.
- Lack of knowledge of rules.
- May have difficulty eating or feeding. For example, many children with ASD are picky eaters. They may only eat a certain color or texture of food.
- May have difficulty transitioning to other foods. For example, don't switch from a bottle to a sippy cup or from pureed foods to mixed-texture foods.
- May exhibit inconsistent skills or 'scattered skills'.
- May have difficulty understanding an abstract idea. For example, if you show him a baseball and call it a "ball," but then you show him a football and call it a "ball," he may not understand that the two different shapes are objects called the same thing.
For more information about Virtuas Early Intervention Program ring:888-847-8823.
To make a referral, call: 1-888-NJEIINFO (1-888-653-4463).
