- Limited or absent eye contact: Children with autism may have difficulty making eye contact during interactions, which can affect their ability to engage in meaningful communication and connect with others.
- Difficulty engaging in back-and-forth interactions: They might not respond to their name being called or have trouble engaging in simple conversations or games that involve turn-taking.
- Delayed or unusual development of language skills: Some children with autism may have delayed speech and language development. Others might develop language skills but struggle with pragmatic language (using language appropriately in social situations).
5 signs you should seek an ASD consultation for your child
Xavier Olmo • August 9, 2023
Being a full-time parent or guardian has its challenges. You're tasked with the rigors of making sure your little one has all that they need and as much as you can give of what they want. Over time you have the priveledge of watching them grow and develop into their own unique personalities, overcome challenges and reach their milestones with a sense of pride. As parents, caregivers, and educators, we are continually observant of our children's growth and development and often with a keen, innate sense of just knowing when something is "not right." Just as importantly, however, recognizing when something is "not as expected" is just as critical.
Recognize things like signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior - in early childhood can have a massive impact on your childs quality of life and long-term outcomes. Autism is a spectrum, meaning its presentation can vary widely among children, and some may exhibit only a few signs while others may display several. Additionally, these signs can be indicators of various developmental differences and not solely autism, further justifying a consultation with a licensed healthcare professional or pediatrician if you do feel that your concerns are legitimate. Lastly, if you suspect your child may be on the spectrum and seek a consultation with the intent to "fix" them with therapy and other treatments, you are already going about it in a harmful way. Autism is not a problem to be fixed but a form of diversity to be understood and included in our society at every level.
In this informative guide, we will explore the common early signs that may indicate an ASD consultation with a licensed professional may be in order. Expanding our knowledge of what science currently understands about autism empowers us to provide appropriate care, tailored interventions, and unconditional support to ensure every child's optimal development and well-being:
1. Social Communication Challenges
2. Repetitive Behaviors and Interests
- Engaging in repetitive movements: These can include hand-flapping, body rocking, spinning objects, or other repetitive actions. These behaviors often serve to self-regulate or provide sensory stimulation and is often called "stimming."
- Strong attachment to specific objects or unusual fixations: Children with autism might become intensely focused on certain topics, objects, or activities, often to the exclusion of other interests.
- Insistence on sameness and resistance to changes in routines: Though it is quite common to struggle with getting your child to try new foods, children with Autism may have a higher degree of resistence to this and other things like changes to their sleep schedule. Any disruption to their established routines can cause distress and discomfort.
3. Sensory Sensitivities
- Overreacting or underreacting to sensory stimuli: Individuals with autism may be hyper- or hypo-sensitive to sensory input such as loud noises, bright lights, specific textures, or certain smells. This is most commonly manifest in their behavior toward certain types of clothing material across varying controlled and uncontrolled climate conditions.
4. Social Difficulties
- Difficulty understanding social cues and nonverbal communication: Children with autism may find it challenging to interpret social cues, facial expressions, gestures, body language, and tone of voice, which are essential components of social interaction. This leads to misunderstandings and difficulty navigating social situations.
- Difficulty expressing emotions or understanding others' emotions: They might have trouble recognizing and appropriately expressing their feelings or comprehending others' emotional states.
5. Developmental Delays
- Delays in reaching developmental milestones: Some children with autism may exhibit delays in motor skills development, such as crawling, walking, or potty training. Though not a complete or reliable tell, research shows that delays in reaching these milestones may be an early indicator.
It's important to remember that every child develops at their own pace, and some differences in development may not necessarily be indicative of ASD. However, if you notice persistent and concerning behaviors or developmental delays in your child, it's best to seek an evaluation by a healthcare professional or a specialist, such as a pediatrician, child psychologist, or developmental pediatrician as soon as possible. Early intervention and support can make a significant difference in a child's development and quality of life.
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