To learn that your child has autism can be heartbreaking but remember, early detection is always the best thing in this situation! Autism is a neurodevelopmental impairment and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exhibit distinct behaviours and interactions even at the very early stages of life. Since ASD is not a disease, children with autism only require special assistance, not treatment, during their growth! Learn to detect early signs of autism in children so that an autistic child's growth, language, and social abilities can all be enhanced by early intervention. Let’s find out the signs of autism in infants/children and what to do after an ASD diagnosis has been made of a baby or newborn! 

What is Autism in Babies? 

Autistic children exhibit developmental difficulties, particularly in their behavior and learning abilities, during the very early months and years. There can be some variations in their interactions but most autistic babies sit, crawl, and walk on schedule, thus, families and medical professionals frequently overlook the early signs of autism in babies. It is necessary to look out for the more subtle distinctions in a child's development to detect the signs.  

The diagnostic age of autism and the early indicators of the disorder might differ significantly across children, which is another difficulty in the process of diagnosis. Within the first eighteenmonths of life, some infants exhibit early indications of autism while others may not exhibit any symptoms of autism until twenty-four months or after. Keep reading to find out the early signs of autism in young children!  

Early Signs of Autism in Babies 

1. Eye contact problem 

From a very early age, babies usually make eye contact with other individuals, as a matter of fact, infants can usually make eye contact by the time they are just two months old. Researchers have discovered that newborns with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) start to avoid eye contact at two or three months of age, and this decrease in eye contact can be one possible early sign of autism. 

2. No name response 

By the time they are six months old, most babies can recognize their names, especially when their mother says it, but infants with autism exhibit a developmental difference. Many newborns with ASD do not respond to their own names by the time they are nine months old, and this typically manifests as a pattern of nonresponse as opposed to a single incident.

3. Regression in behavior 

Autism may be indicated if a toddler loses skills and abilities that they had started to acquire, however, the cause of regression is unknown to researchers. More than ninety percent of the time, linguistic abilities that babies start to acquire starting at eight to nine months of age are lost later. That is why if your baby stops babbling, you must talk to your physician. 

4. Gesturing issues 

Infants typically pick up gestures before speaking, and one of the earliest signs of autism in infants can be a lack of gestures. Compared to children without autism, autistic babies often point and gesture far less, and when you point at something, their gaze may not follow you, which is a sign of a developmental gap.  

5. Delayed speech

Toddlers and babies begin speaking at different times but researchers found that at twelve months of age, children with autistic development often pronounce and comprehend fewer words than other children. This is one of the prominent and common signs of autism in infants.   

6. Fewer facial expressions

One technique for autism detection in children is checking for nonverbal facial expressions. This does not imply that children with autism are experiencing less emotion, rather, it just means that when they do, it is not as evident on their faces.  

How is an Autism Diagnosis in Children Performed? 

There is no definitive early autism diagnosis test, such as a lab test, for the impairment. Healthcare professionals can, however, carry out certain examinations and screenings for early autism diagnosis. 

• Developmental surveillance

The paediatrician will examine your child's behavior and developmental history, and this is an active, continuous process in which you observe your child's development and talk with their provider about their skills and abilities. 

• Developmental screening

This is a more formal phase of early autism diagnosis that examines your child's growth more closely. The screening process has checklists, and this test can tell you if your baby is developing normally or if it requires a more thorough assessment.

• Formal evaluation

A formal examination is done to check your child's development in greater detail. For this, the baby will be observed by a qualified professional, such as a developmental-behavioural paediatrician or child psychologist, who will also administer a structured autism spectrum test. In addition, you will be asked questions and need to complete surveys about your baby’s behavior or changes in behavior which are useful in establishing a diagnosis.

Treatment for Autism  

When signs of autism in infants are detected, certain techniques can be used after a diagnosis to help the child grow up in a healthy way. Because the traits of autism can take many different forms, the best course of action is typically multimodal, and they really help the baby. A combination of cognitive behavioral treatment, speech treatment, diet treatment, treatments for behavior control, and combined attention treatment are usually performed.  

Final Remarks 

An autism diagnosis for your baby may be hard for you, but you must remember, it is possible for an autistic baby to live a healthy and normal life with proper help. Early detection greatly helps with this process, and that is why, if you notice the symptoms mentioned above in your child, you must consult an expert!