It is during the toddler years when most of the cases of autism are diagnosed. This does not mean that the disorder is prevalent during this stage of life, but it is during this period when most of its signs and symptoms start to show. This is when parents should be more attentive in observing the signs of autism. Toddlers are children who are between infancy and childhood, which usually begin in the ages of 12 and18 months.
Autism is one of the group of disorders of neural development commonly know as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). It is characterized by impairment in communication and social interaction, and by repetitive behavior.
Researchers have found in a study that the early signs of autism are already manifested by toddlers as early as 14 months of age. The signs vary in every individual and are still not very noticeable.
It is very important to detect the signs of autism as early as possible. This will give the parents, pediatricians and experts more opportunity to diagnose children with ASD. As a result, early interventions can be applied and thus, reducing the negative effects of autism in a child’s development. In a recent study, it was found that early intervention programs are highly effective in improving the IQ, language ability and social interaction of children as young as 18 months.
The number of studies about autism is increasing by the year. But up until now, there is still no know cure for autism. Also, it is important to note that there are still no standardized criteria for detecting the signs of autism. Toddlers also vary in displaying characteristics of autism.
Here are the 3 signs of autism – toddlers:
Communication: Compared to children with normal development, autistic children produce fewer words, sounds and gestures. They also have a different gaze and tend to shy away from eye contact.
Lack of interest: Being autistic is like having your own little world. Autism impairs the social development of a person. Children with autism appear to be disinterested in other people and the environment. They do not respond to their own name and you hardly ever see them smile. They also have a difficulty in interacting with other children their own age.
Repetitive behavior: Autistic children exhibit repetitive or stereotyped behaviors. This is one of the most obvious signs of autism. Toddlers with autism display flapping and head-banging even while in their cot. They like doing things in the same routine and eats only particular food. They are also attached to one particular toy or object. This behavior is attributed to their difficulty in adopting changes.
Aside from these signs of autism, toddlers who have a brother or a sister who has ASD are also more likely to be suffering from the disorder. Experts believe that the disorder somehow has strong genetic basis, although such theory has still no definite proofs.
Having an autistic child should not be all that bad. An estimated number of individuals diagnosed with ASD show extraordinary abilities. Such talents include excellent memorization skills, superior perception and attention to details in arts and music and many more.
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