As autism prevalence rates climb to 1 in 44 eight-year-old children and 1 in 59 four-year-old children (according to CDC’s December 2, 2021 report), it’s more important than ever to recognize the early signs and symptoms of autism and seek out an evaluation to determine if your child meets the criteria. Early detection and intervention continue to be the most important factors in promoting children’s development and well-being.
The following are signs and symptoms to attend to and speak with your doctor about. In addition, please note that you should consult your child’s doctor if there is ever any loss of a previously gained skill.
If your baby does not do the following by four months of age:
Respond to loud sounds
Smile at people
Bring hands or items to mouth
Hold head up steadily
Watch things as they move
If your baby does not do the following by six months of age:
Reach for things
Shows affection for caregivers
Respond to sounds
Make some vowel sounds (eh, ah, oh)
Laugh or squeal
By nine months of age, your child should be able to:
Look where you point
Babble (e.g. mama, dada)
Recognize familiar people
Respond to his/her own name
Sit up with help
Bear his or her weight on legs with support
Transfer toys from one hand to the other
By the time your child is one, he or she should be:
Point and using other gestures such as waving or shaking head yes or no
Searching for things that he or she sees you hide
Say some simple single words
Stand with support
By 18 months of age, your child should be able to:
Imitate or copy others
Have at least 6 words
Know what familiar objects such as a cup or spoon are used for
React when a caregiver leaves or returns
Walk
By 2 years of age, your child should:
Use 2-word phrases (e.g. “mama up”)
Follow simple instructions
Walk steadily
By 3 years of age, you should consult your doctor if your child:
Is not yet speaking in sentences
Has speech that is difficult to understand
Drools a lot
Doesn’t play appropriately with simple toys or shows little interest in toys
Doesn’t show an interest in playing with other children
Doesn’t engage in pretend play
Doesn’t make eye contact
Falls down often or has trouble on stairs
By 4 years of age, the following are indications that you should talk to your child’s doctor:
Has no interest in playing with other children
Doesn’t respond to people outside the family
Is unable to engage in make believe play
Can’t retell a favorite story
Doesn’t follow 3-step directions
Doesn’t use “you” and “me” correctly
Doesn’t understand “same” and “different”
Speaks unclearly
Doesn’t scribble or has trouble scribbling with a crayon
By 5 years of age, indications for concern are the following:
Child doesn’t show a wide range of emotions
Has extreme behaviors (unusually aggressive, fearful, sad, shy)
Is unusually withdrawn and not active in social situations
Is easily distracted and has trouble focusing on an activity for more than five minutes
Doesn’t respond to people or responds only superficially
Can’t tell the difference between real and make believe
Doesn’t participate in a wide variety of games and activities
Can’t give his/her first and last name
Doesn’t use plurals, pronouns or past tense properly
Doesn’t talk about daily activities
Doesn’t draw pictures
Can’t do daily activities (brush teeth, wash and dry hands, or get undressed) without help
Signs of autism in older children, teens and adults may include:
Impaired social skills, including difficulty navigating and sustaining relationships
Difficulty with eye contact
Rigid adherence to daily activities
Unusual or intense interests or obsessive/repetitive behaviors
Being highly sensitive or notably under-responsive to sounds, textures, movements, or light
If your child is showing signs and symptoms of autism or you suspect your child may have autism, feel free to contact us for a free 20 minute consultation.