By: Beth Vaughan

The most recent studies show that 1 in 68 children are now being diagnosed on the Autism spectrum. While diagnosis and research are on the rise, a child is unfortunately not diagnosed by a professional until he or she is over the age of two. The earlier we can get our learners into our clinics, the better and there are signs that could indicate that a child is on the spectrum as early as six months of age.

Signs and symptoms can vary, as can the severity of the symptoms. Be sure to monitor your child’s development, and consult your doctor if anything concerns you. It is important to note that autism in infants can be recognized by a lack of normal behavior, rather than the presence of strange behaviors.

Below is a list of 9 signs that your infant may have Autism:

1.) Lack of smiling

Does your child smile back at you when you give him or her a warm, joyful smile? Does your child smile on his/her own? By the age of six months, your infant should be giving you big smiles or happy expressions.

2.) Rare Imitation of Social Cues

Does your child imitate the sounds and movements of others? Does he/she share expressions back and forth? Infrequent imitation of sounds, smiles, laughter, and facial expressions by 9 months of age can be an early indicator of autism

3.) Delay In Babbling & Cooing

Is your child making “baby talk” and babbling or cooing? Does he/she do it frequently? Your baby should typically reach this milestone by 12 months.

4.) Unresponsiveness to Name

Is your baby increasingly unresponsive to his or her name from 6 to 12 months of age? Parents who see this in their child are often concerned it may be hearing loss and are unaware it can be a sign of autism. If you see this behavior in your child, be sure to monitor the signs and consult a doctor.

5.) Poor Eye Contact

Does your child make limited eye contact with you and other loved ones? Does he/she follow objects visually? Severe lack of eye contact as the baby grows can be an early indicator, as it is a form of communication and comprehension.

6.) Infrequently Seeking Attention

Does your child initiate cuddling or make noises to get your attention? Does he/she reach up toward you to be picked up? Disinterest in seeking a loved one’s attention or bonding is a sign your baby may eventually have difficulty relating to others, which can be a struggle for those on the spectrum as they grow up.

7.) Lack of Gesturing

Does your child gesture towards objects or people to communicate? Does he/she wave goodbye, point, or reach for things? This is a milestone that is typically reached by 9 or 10 months old.

8.) Repetitive Behaviors

Does your child engage in repetitive behaviors such as stiffening their arms, hands, or legs? Does he/she display unusual body movements like rotating his hands on his wrists? Does he sit or stand in uncommon postures?

9.) Delayed Motor Development

Has your child experienced significant delays in motor development milestones, such as rolling over, pushing herself up, and crawling?

These are just some of the noticeable signs that are common among children on the spectrum. If you suspect some of these behaviors/signs in your young child, please do not hesitate to contact Reaching Milestones for an assessment. Again, the earlier the diagnosis, the better it is for everyone!