Diagnosing Autism
As a condition that affects 1 in every 59 children, autism spectrum disorder or ASD is a serious issue. You’ve heard about it on the news, seen it portrayed in movies, and chances are you probably know someone with autism. While there is no cure for ASD, it can be managed with treatment. In fact, the sooner a child with ASD can be treated the better.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) some studies have shown that parents recognize signs of autism before the age of one. Studies also showed that 80 to 90 percent of all parents of kids with ASD definitely recognized signs of autism by 24 months of age.
Ultimately it’s the job of a trained professional to diagnose the neurological disorder ASD, but there are red flags that you should be on the lookout for. Speech-language pathologists do not diagnose autism, but we often work with a lot of children on the spectrum and have learned how to work with families if we suspect their child may need to seek a diagnosis.
Red Flags at Specific Ages
The following list of red flags are taken from the CDC and Autism Speaks websites:
- Few or no displays of joy, affection, or even smiling by 6 months of age
- Limited or no eye contact
- By 12 months, little or no babbling, little or no reciprocal gestures such as pointing, reaching or waving, little or no response to name
- Very few or no words by 16 months
- Very few or no two-word phrases at 24 months (except for copying or imitation, known as echolalia)
Red Flags at Any Age
Red flags at any age:
- A loss of speech, babbling, or social skills
- Unusual reactions to the way things taste, sound and feel
- Has trouble understanding emotions of other people and their own
- Is upset by minor changes to routine or otherwise
- Repetitive movements like flapping their hands, rocking, spinning, etc.
If you notice several of these red flags schedule a visit with a developmental pediatrician or neurologist as soon as possible. Even if your child does not have autism, getting him checked out will give you so much more peace of mind.