Autism in Toddlers – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 88 children in the United States has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or another form of autism. This number is growing every year.
For those who work with young children, it’s easy to miss some of the signs of autism and Asperger’s.
Many parents may not think twice about an odd behavior or a lack of eye contact—until their child begins to show other signs of being autistic or has an actual diagnosis.
Here are five signs that you should look out for to determine whether your toddler is showing signs of autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorders: What You Should Know
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to communicate, interact with other people, and learn. ASD affects about 1% of the population.
Autism is more common in boys than in girls. The symptoms of ASD can appear in many different ways. Some children with ASD have severe problems, while others are able to live independently.
Symptoms The most important thing to know about autism is that it is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in early childhood. The symptoms of autism are not visible until a child is at least 2 years old.
A child with autism has problems communicating, interacting, and learning. A child with autism may have difficulty making eye contact.
This means that he or she will often look at someone’s face and then away. This can be very frustrating for both the child and the other person.
Read Also: Tips for Raising Autistic Child
Children with autism are often unable to use language. They often do not understand what they are saying.
They may have problems understanding social cues like facial expressions and body language.
They also have trouble understanding why people say certain things. A child with autism may have problems getting along with other people.
Early Warning Signs of Autism
Autism can start at any time and at any age, so it’s important to get early detection. But it doesn’t have to be a lifelong condition.
Early intervention—and access to high-quality care—can improve your child’s life.
For example, research shows that children who receive early intervention have better language skills and communication skills, fewer learning problems, and fewer behavior problems than those who don’t receive early intervention.
So if you’re concerned about your toddler, you should talk to your doctor or your child’s pediatrician. That being said, here are 5 early signs of autism in toddlers girl and boy:
1. Prefers being alone.
As a result of the limited social skills, toddlers with autism may have difficulty forming relationships and may prefer to spend time alone.
Related Article: How to Help Children With Autism
If your toddler seems to prefer spending time by himself, you should consider asking your pediatrician if there is something that could be causing this behavior.
2. Doesn’t understand taking turns.
If you see your child refuse to take turns or be upset when he or she is required to do so, it can be early signs of autism.
A lack of understanding of social rules can be a sign of autism. If your toddler has an aversion to sharing toys, or if he or she doesn’t understand why they need to share, you should consult a professional about this behavior.
3. Has delayed speech and language skills.
Children with autism can show signs as young as 18 months old. If your child is not talking yet, or if he or she doesn’t respond to your attempts to get him or her to communicate, then it could be a sign of autism. However, some toddlers may not speak until they are 2-3 years old.
4. Doesn’t respond to name.
This is the most difficult sign to detect in toddlers. However, if you have a toddler who doesn’t seem to recognize you, or who doesn’t respond to your attempts to get him or her to respond, it could be an early sign of autism.
Some children do not respond to their names because of a developmental disorder. If your child doesn’t respond to his or her name or seems unable to point at an object that he or she wants, you should consult a professional for help.
5. Avoids eye contact – mild autism in toddlers symptoms
The next sign of mild autism in toddlers is your baby tends to avoid eye contact. Take the case of a 4-year-old boy with autism. The boy was afraid of looking people in the eyes, and would only make eye contact when he had to.
At first, the parents thought this was just a shyness on the part of their son, but they soon realized that he was trying to avoid looking into people’s eyes.
Avoiding eye contact can be a sign of autism. If you notice that your child isn’t making eye contact with you, your child may have autism.
Common Signs of Autism in Toddlers
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that is diagnosed in people as young as 2-3 years old.
Many people with autism are high-functioning, and some can even have careers in academia or the arts.
However, the majority of people on the spectrum have very serious difficulties communicating, interacting, and learning. In this article, we will look at the signs of autism in a child.
These signs can be used by parents to determine if a child may have autism, but they are also useful for other reasons. Here’s a list of 5 common autism symptoms in toddlers:
1. Repeats what others say.
Children with autism repeat words, phrases, or sentences that they hear, even if the person saying them isn’t speaking to them.
This is because children with autism have trouble understanding that people don’t always speak to them directly.
2. Isn’t interested in making friends.
Kids with autism may have problems making friends. They may not understand why they need to make friends, and may not understand why they have to share.
3. Has obsessive interests in certain topics.
This is important because it can indicate a specific interest in a subject. For example, a child who is interested in trains can be a sign of autism.
However, this can also be a sign of normal interest. If your child has an obsession with trains, ask yourself what else might be interesting to him or her.
4. Likes certain parts of objects, like the spinning wheel.
If your daughter has autism, she can’t stop spinning a spinning wheel once she likes it. This is an important sign. A child who spins things could have autism.
However, this can also be a sign of a normal fascination. If your child likes to spin, ask yourself if there are other things that he or she likes to do.
5. Doesn’t make facial expressions.
Children with autism can’t make any facial expressions. They may have trouble understanding that facial expressions are important. The symptoms of autism in toddlers can be very difficult to identify.
Early Diagnosis for Early Intervention
Equally important is that you know what kind of therapy your child needs, and that you know how to find the right kind of therapy for him or her.
It is important that you consult with a professional who has experience in early intervention for autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates, interacts, and learns.
Children with ASD have problems communicating, interacting, and learning. They may also have repetitive behaviors and be hypersensitive to certain sounds or light.
The symptoms of autism in toddlers are very similar to the symptoms of autism in older children and adults.
The symptoms are the same, but there is also an important difference. When a child is diagnosed with autism, the symptoms appear around the age of 2 years old.
However, if you see the signs of autism in your child before he or she reaches this age, you can get help sooner.
While it’s often possible to diagnose autism in a child before he or she starts school, it is important to note that the earlier the diagnosis, the better.
The earlier you start treatment, the more likely it is that your child will have the best outcomes.
The Bottom Line
Children with ASD have a difficult time communicating, interacting, and learning. They have problems understanding social rules and may have repetitive behaviors. The symptoms of autism in toddlers can be very difficult to identify.
If you notice any of these signs in your child, talk to your doctor about getting an early diagnosis. The information provided on this website is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with questions regarding a medical condition. The above is a brief description of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and does not include all possible symptoms.
It is important that you know what kind of therapy your child needs. Talk to a doctor who has experience in early intervention for autism. Getting an early diagnosis is important because it can help you get help sooner. It can also help you understand why your child is having problems.