While parenthood comes with joy there are also constant worries about the well-being of your child. The worries are especially more during the early development years of your child. Monitoring your child’s development allows you to seek immediate help if anything concerns you. The signs and symptoms of autism can be visible in children as early as six months of age. An early diagnosis can lead to much better outcome for your child. Here are some signs you can monitor if you notice any development delays.
- Lack or Delay of Motor Skills
Babies start to roll over between 4 to 6 months. And crawl between 6 and 10 months. Lack or delay of these motor skills is a sign that your infant may have autism. The symptoms may manifest subtly being attention can help you pick up on certain cues. Once you notice a lack of motor skills, consult the best pediatrician in Cumming, GA promptly for timely intervention. - Unresponsiveness to Voice
Unresponsive to voice is often related to hearing loss. But many parents are unaware that it may be a sign of autism. You should monitor the signs for this type of behavior and consult a pediatrician. - Unusual or Repetitive Movements
Is your child often engaged in repetitive behaviors? Or do they display unusual body movements? These unusual body movements and repetitive behaviors are an early indicator of autism. - Not Seeking Attention
Children often make noises or gestures to seek attention of loved ones. If your child is not bonding with you or seeking your attention, it is red flag. Children with autism find it difficult relating to others, the problem may worsen as they grow up. - Rare Imitation
Children start coping the actions, gestures and sounds of their caregiver in infancy. Children with autism rarely show imitation. They can find imitation to be difficult. - No Eye Contact
Poor eye contact is the earliest indication of autism. Infants at 3 months age start making eye contact with their parents. Paying attention to how your baby engages during playing, feeding and feeding, can help you find any variations in development. If you infant is not making eye contact, consult an expert promptly. Early intervention can significantly impact a child’s progress. - Lack of Gesturing
It is common for infant to gestures towards objects and people. If you baby does not gesture towards anything it is sign of delay in social skills.
Consult the best pediatrician in Cumming, GA about screening your child for autism. While every child is unique and they are likely to develop differently, early diagnosis ca significantly improve outcomes.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommends that all children be screened for autism at ages 18 months and 24 months. Also, the pediatric health organization in the United States has recommended development screening during well-child visits at 9, 18, and 30 months.
Conclusion:
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder is difficult as there is no medical test. Monitoring the development and behavior is the only way to diagnose symptoms and disorders. If you notice any of the signs, it is essential to seek guidance. Healthcare professionals can recommend appropriate interventions tailored to the needs of an infant.
