Signs of Autism!!
Signs of Autism can be apparent as early as 1 years of age. Our son Arek had signs of Autism since birth as he was virtually not interested of outside attention. He almost never cried, did not want to be held, changed or fed. He just laid in his crib with a grin and was content. Once he got older and older it was apparent that something was different. Arek was a late walker, he did not play with toys normally, instead he spun them over and over again. He would take anything he could and stack it or line it up, two signs of autism. For a first time parent Arek would have seemed like the perfect baby, T a seasoned parent it was easier to see the difference between his development and his older brother and sister. If you notice any signs or symptoms of Autism then do not be ashamed but report it to your physician. If your physician resists be as persistent as possible and if necessary get a second opinion. with 1 in 150 children being diagnosed with Autism most doctors should be at least aware of some of the signs.
Signs of Autism
According to The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, a child or adult with autism might have the following signs and symptoms:
- not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll)
- not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over)
- not look at objects when another person points at them
- have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all
- avoid eye contact and want to be alone
- have trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
- prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to
- appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds
- be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play, or relate to them
- repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language (echolalia)
- have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
- repeat actions over and over again
- have trouble adapting when a routine changes
- have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
- lose skills they once had (for instance, stop saying words they were once using)