Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, comes in many forms, and due to its nature, it’s harder to diagnose. Moreover, when it comes to babies, people can miss important signs of ASD, which reduces their chances of getting proper treatment and improving their condition. Here are some common signs of autism in infants you need to keep an eye out for.
Not Making Eye Contact
One of the earliest signs of autism in infants is a lack of eye contact. Babies usually like to maintain eye contact when interacting with others. However, babies with autism do the opposite. They can’t locate faces or make eye contact. As a result, they don’t gain important information about their surroundings. Additionally, as they get older, they maintain even less eye contact. A decline in eye contact is also a prominent sign of autism.
Slower Responses
Response times are another important indication of autism. Children with autism usually have slower response times. For example, they might not respond to their names, interact with people talking to them, or refer to their parents or caretakers with specific names. If by nine months, your baby doesn’t respond properly or develops a pattern of non-responsiveness, consult a doctor.
Lack Of Gestures
Before babies start speaking, they usually rely on gestures to communicate. For example, they’ll point to things they want, cover their mouth if they don’t like the food, and even use their hands to communicate. Little or no gesturing is a strong indication of autism, and if not addressed early on, it may lead to delayed speech and even language delays. So always keep an eye on the gestures and hand movements your baby uses when interacting with people.
Delayed Speech
Delayed speech is one of the most common signs of autism. Compared to other children, autistic children learn and understand fewer words. Additionally, if your child isn’t saying two or three-work phrases by 16 months, or using sentences by the age of two, then there’s a strong possibility that they might have some form of autism spectrum disorder. The sooner you get a diagnosis, the easier it’ll be for your child to learn to speak.
Trouble Adjusting to A New Routine
For people and kids with autism, it’s harder to do things outside of a routine. That’s because it’s easier for their mind to comprehend what’s the next step if they maintain a routine. Children usually don’t prefer routines and don’t maintain them unless you teach them. So if your infant is having more trouble than usual adjusting to new routines or activities, it’s better to get an evaluation for autism.
Learn More About Early Signs Of Autism With Helping Miami
The Miami community can find resources on Helping Miami’s website. Our website provides many resources on many subjects, such as Miami’s mental health problems, the DUI victim help program, Miami’s educational support, and fundraising partnerships. We also list resources related to autism in infants and adults. Visit our website to read our blogs and find out more about the beneficial resource we have available for the Miami community.