Do you notice your kid not talking as much as other kids? Is he/she gets upset when he/she doesn’t like a certain sound, smell, or taste? If you answer yes, these signs could indicate an autism spectrum disorder. There is no cure for it. Also, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. With early intervention, resources, and support, your kid can live a fulfilling life. Nearly 1 in 54 children in the U.S.A are diagnosed with Autism. Thus, make sure you notice the warning signs of autism/ autism symptoms quickly.

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Autism What Are Signs of Autism in Teens and Children?

Read to know what are the signs of being on the spectrum in kids:

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD?

Autism is a complex developmental disorder that leads to delays in numerous basic development areas like playing, communicating, and others. 

What Are the 5 Autism Spectrum Disorders?

Below are the common types of autism:

• Childhood disintegrative disorder
• Asperger’s syndrome
• Kanner’s syndrome
• Rett syndrome
• Pervasive developmental disorder 

Early Signs of Autism | Early Autism Symptoms

Not all autistic kids will have similar patterns of behavior. Therefore, few of them need more help in learning and performing everyday activities.

1. Common Signs of Autism in Babies or Toddlers

Below are most common autism in babies signs/signs of autism in toddlers:

• Does not reply to cuddling, his/her name, or the sound of a known voice.
• Does not look at mothers when fed.
• Do not copy your facial expressions or movements.
• Do not smile when being smiled at.
• Do not make noise to catch your attention.
• Do not enjoy, show interest, or play with other kids.
• Do not use any gestures to communicate.
• Do not care if you are in pain or other discomfort.
• Do not follow objects visually or your gestures when you point to anything.

Signs of Autism in Babies 0 to 3 Months

• Poor face recognition.
• Highly sensitive to loud noises.
• Restricted facial expression.
• Don’t follow moving things with their eyes.

Months Signs at 4 to 7 Age

• Restricted verbal expression.
• Not able to hold onto things.
• Lack of interest in a few sounds.
• Restricted murmuring.
• Display restricted emotional reactivity or facial expressions.

Babies Autism Signs at Months 8 to 12

• May stop you from using gestures.
• Avoid eye contact.
• May not point to images or things.
• May fail to crawl.
• Unclear or restricted speech.
• May not be able to balance his/her body even when supported.

2. Signs of Autism in Older Children and Teenagers

As your kid or teen turns older, the Autism symptoms become more diverse. It will usually revolve around:

Language and Speech Difficulties

• Finds it hard to communicate desires or needs.
• Uses language wrongly.
• Repeat questions asked to him/her
• Fail to understand easy directions, queries, or directions.
• Repeat the similar phrases or words again and again.
• Speaks in a strange pitch, voice, or rhythm.

Impaired Social Skills

• Do not like to be touched, cuddled, or held.
• Do not share his/her accomplishments or interests.
• Do not know how to play, communicate with others, or make friends.
• Faces trouble when talking about him/her to others.
• Finds difficulty in understanding feelings.
• Do not hear when someone talks.
• Do not copy others
• Do not engage in any activity or use toys creatively.
• Seems to look unfamiliar or disinterested in the things going on around him/her.

Inflexibility

• Spends a long time moving objects.
• Focus on one part of the object.
• Sticks to a tough routine.
• Odd bonding to toys or strange things.
• Face difficulty adapting to changes in environment or schedule.
• Repeat similar movements or actions again and again.
• Concentration on a narrow topic of interest.

Non-verbal Communication Difficulties

• Makes certain gestures.
• Reacts strangely to sounds, textures, and vision.
• Do not make eye contact.
• Uses facial expressions that fail to resemble what he/she says.
• Makes a strange posture or shows awkwardness.
• Do not pick up on gestures, voice, and facial expressions of those around him/her.

If your child ran away from home, learn our guide on autism elopement here.

What Are Signs of Mild Autism in Children? | Signs of Autism Level 1

Level 1 autism is known as mild autism. It is where kids require the least support to work in their everyday life.

Mild autism symptoms/behaviors may include:

• Difficulty in understanding what others are feeling or thinking.
• Has a particular way of doing things regularly.
• Look away from people or feel shy.
• Struggle to make friends, share interests, or perform imaginative play.
• Repeating similar movements, words, actions, or activities, even without any reason.
• They seem to be happy in their world. 
• They may not hear people who are speaking to them.
• They find it hard to adjust to diverse social situations.
• Highly sensitive to sensations.
• They have limited interests but deep knowledge.
• They find it tough to adapt to new things.

Reasons for Autism

The exact cause of Autism is unknown. However, researchers suggest it’s a blend of the following factors:

• Genetics
• Exposure to a few environmental factors during early childhood or pregnancy like toxins, infections, etc.
• Abnormalities in brain development, mainly in areas associated with communication and social interaction.

Can You See Autism in Newborns?

No. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be identified in 18-month-old kids or younger. But it’s quite tough to detect signs of autism in newborns because they have not yet social and language skills developed. The best way to find signs of autism in toddlers and infants is to monitor their developmental milestones.

Can You Detect Autism at 1 Month?

As per the CDC, newborn babies can display autism symptoms from 9 months. However, the Autism Science Foundation says that ASD can occur in babies at 2 months.

Do Autistic Babies Sleep More?

Autistic kids face settling and sleep issues. These include:

• Waking very early in the morning.
• Staying awake until very late.

FAQ’s – Autism Symptoms

Explore common frequently asked questions associated with signs and symptoms of autism:

What are the three main symptoms of autism?

Three main signs of autism in young children are:

• Not making eye contact.
• Do not respond when his/her name is called. 
• Not smiling back when anyone smiles at him/her.

At What Age Does Autism Show?

Numerous kids show signs of autism by 12 – 18 months or even earlier.  

What Can I Do to Prevent Autism?

Consider these pointers to prevent autism:

• Refrain from alcohol use.
• Get the recommended vaccine.
• Avoid taking a few medicines while you are pregnant.
• Receive prompt treatment for existing health conditions.
• Consume highly nutritious meals, exercise, and get routine health check-ups.

How Do I Test for Autism?

Few kids with autism have serious mental disabilities. Generally, there is no laboratory test for the condition. Thus, the professional observes the behaviour of young kids to find the most effective treatment choice.

What is the Main Cause of Autism?

The main cause behind Autism is differences in the brain either genetically or due to some other reason. 

What Should You Avoid If Your Child Has Autism?

Kids with autism must avoid foods with artificial colours, additives, dyes, preservatives, and flavors. Because it can result in stomach irritation, development problems, and disturb normal emotional processing. 

I hope our post on Autism symptoms/earliest signs of autism is helpful to you. Please take some time to like and share it.