Signs of Autism in Infants and Babies

I realize that learning your child may have something wrong is never easy to hear, but it is also important to be aware of other disorders with similar signs-symptoms of autism in babies. These may include a sensory disorder, a seizure disorder or hearing impairment.

Petit Mal seizures can occur hundreds of times per day without a parent’s knowledge and can cause a child to have strange behavior, be frequently disoriented or appear as if in his/her own world. These disorders can also often coexist with signs of autism in infants.

Signs of Autism in Babies

• Failure to make eye contact
• Problems with Infant Sleeping due to poor self regulation.
• Behavior problems - frequent crying, hitting, or biting.
• Lack of smiles or other joyful facial expressions by 6 months of age
• Rigid behavior - always needing everything to be the exact same or child gets very upset.
• Failure to imitate facial expressions, sounds, or smiles by 9 months of age
• Failure to respond when his or her name is called by 12 months of age
• No babbling or baby talk by 12 months of age
• Failure to react to loud noises, by looking in the direction of the noise.
• Doesn’t follow objects with eyes
• Often stares at ceiling fans or shadows on wall while appearing unaware of surroundings
• Doesn’t reach out to be picked up, show objects, point, or wave by 12 months of age.
• Appears to be in a world of their own
• No spoken words by 16 months of age.
• No meaningful two word phrases that are spontaneous and not imitative.

Treatment for Signs of Autism in Infants

Although treatment for infants can be more limited, there are things that could mean the difference between your child having severe delays and merely symptoms of mild autism.

This may involve getting help with; infant sleep problems, behavior problems, sensory defensiveness, and/or receiving Applied Behavior Analysis - ABA autism therapy. Working with a developmental therapist, occupational therapist or getting help from a child behavior specialist could also greatly help to reduce signs.

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