D E T E C T I N G
EE A AR R LL YY O O FF A AU U
SS TT
II II
G G SS
N N SS M M
WORDS BY LINDSAY CONNER
Learn how to spot the early signs of autism, when early intervention is crucial.
D
id you know that early signs of autism
spectrum disorder (ASD) can show up
in toddlers as young as 12 months
old? With this knowledge in hand, parents and caregivers can look out for specific behaviors and missed milestones and get your child the help
Additionally, a lack of babbling or language development (very few or no words by 16 months, or very few or no meaningful two-word phrases by 24 months) can be a sign of ASD. Not making eye contact or turning toward the person speaking is another marker. Also, if the child doesn’t point at people or objects, imitate sounds or movements, or has little to no response if their name is called, these are some other behaviors to watch out for.
they need to learn, grow and thrive.
Learning to recognize the early markers of ASD can be a challenge, but it’s important for intervention. “Parents can start noticing ASD signs as early as 1 to 2 years old,” says Trudy Yeager, OT, with ABC Pediatric Therapy Network. “Typically they can notice it through behaviors such as lining up toys, repetitive behaviors like rocking and twirling, spinning objects, social skills, communication skills, limited tolerance for changes in routine, and limited tolerance for a variety of sensory input.”
Not all children with autism show all the signs, and many children who don’t have autism will show a few. That’s why professional evaluation is crucial.
TESTING AND DIAGNOSIS A diagnosis of Autism may be received as early as 18 months, yet the average age of diagnosis in the U.S. is around 4 years. When a parent suspects a child may have key indicators of ASD, a first step is to contact their primary care physician for a complete check-up to rule out other medical concerns.
April 2021 I ohParent.com
13
