Autism is a spectrum disorder in which a person suffers from a variety of conditions termed as autistic spectrum disorder. Signs and symptoms of autism vary from child to child. Early signs of autism may not be easy to detect in a child. Various signs and symptoms of autism may also be similar to those of Asperger syndrome. Asperger's syndrome is among the conditions of the autistic spectrum disorder. Thus, Asperger's syndrome is a kind of autistic disorder.
Parents usually find it difficult to believe that their child may be showing symptoms of autism. They are often frightened about the possible risks of mental and physical developmental delays or variations that may accompany autism. Some children may not show major symptoms of autism, but this does not necessarily mean that the child is outside the autism spectrum.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Autism
According to AutismWeb.com, during an evaluation the doctor should immediately check a child for autistic symptoms if the child does not:
- Babble or does not show normal gestures by the age of 12 months
- Speak single words by the age of 16 months
- Speak two words sentences by the age of 24 months
These symptoms are autistic facts defined by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Autism Facts. These signs and symptoms relate to physical and mental delays in an autistic child. Diagnosis of autism signs and symptoms is better at an early stage. Some signs that the child may be suffering from autism during the first three months are:
- Not smiling
- Not responding to loud noises
- Does not babble
- Not holding objects
- Not paying attention to new faces
Signs and symptoms of autism in the child by the age of 7 months are:
- Not laughing
- Not smiling
- Not paying attention to sounds
- Not interested in games
Signs the child may reveal by the age of 12 months:
- Not saying single words
- Not standing when supported
- Not crawling
- Not using gestures
- Not pointing to pictures and objects
Autistic signs in children by the age of 24 months:
- Not using two words sentences
- Not walking
- Not imitating actions or words
- Not following simple instructions
- Not being able to push a wheeled toy
- Not being able to speak more than 15 words
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