What Is Autism and What are the early signs of autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), often called autism, is a complex condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world. It’s called a “spectrum” because it shows up differently in each person. Think of it like a rainbow 🌈 – each color is unique, but they all belong to the same spectrum. Understanding the signs of autism is the first step towards getting the proper support and help for an individual.

Early recognition of these autism signs is significant. The sooner autism is identified, the sooner children and families can access therapies and services that can make a big difference in development and quality of life. This article will guide you through what autism is and highlight the key signs of autism to look for at different ages.

Key Takeaways

• Autism is a Spectrum: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects communication, social skills, and behaviors in unique ways for each person.
• Early Signs Matter: Recognizing early signs of autism in infants and toddlers is crucial for getting timely support and interventions.
• Core Areas Affected: Look for challenges in social interaction, communication (both verbal and non-verbal), and the presence of repetitive behaviors or particular interests.
• Developmental Milestones: Pay attention if a child misses key social or communication milestones, such as not responding to their name or not pointing to share an interest.
• Consult a Professional: If you notice several signs of autism or have concerns about your child’s development, talk to your pediatrician. Early evaluation and support are vital.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition, meaning it affects how the brain grows and develops. It’s not an illness or something that can be “cured,” but rather a different way of experiencing the world.

For a long time, experts have been tracking how common autism is. Recent studies suggest that signs of autism are present in about 1 in 36 children in the U.S. This number has increased over the years. Why? It’s likely due to a few reasons:

• More Awareness: People know more about autism now, so they’re better at noticing the signs of autism.
• Better Diagnosis: Doctors and specialists now have improved tools and a deeper understanding to diagnose autism.
• Broader Definition: The definition of autism has expanded to encompass a wider range of symptoms, encompassing a greater number of individuals under the “spectrum.”

Autism affects people all over the world, no matter their background, culture, or where they live. It’s also found more often in boys than in girls, about four times more often. However, many experts believe that girls with autism might be underdiagnosed. This is because signs of autism in girls can sometimes look different or be more subtle, especially in their social and communication skills. Girls might “mask” their difficulties better, making it harder to spot the autism signs.

People with autism often face challenges in three main areas:

1. Communication encompasses speaking, understanding language, and utilizing non-verbal cues.
2. Social Skills: This involves interacting with others, understanding their emotions and feelings, and forming meaningful friendships.
3. Behavioral Patterns: This may involve repetitive actions, strong routines, or a very focused interest.

It’s important to know that autism doesn’t always mean someone has an intellectual disability. About one-third of people with autism also have an intellectual disability. But two-thirds have average to above-average intelligence! Many individuals with autism are highly intelligent and have unique strengths and talents, especially in areas related to their special interests.

Understanding the Core Signs of Autism

The signs of autism are grouped into key areas that help professionals diagnose the condition. These core areas often show challenges in:

1. Social Communication and Interaction

This area looks at how a person connects with others. People with autism may have difficulty with:

• Social-Emotional Reciprocity: This refers to the reciprocal flow of social interaction. For example, a child might not respond to their name, share smiles, or share objects with others. They might seem “in their own world.”
• Nonverbal Communication: This includes aspects such as eye contact, facial expressions, body language, and gestures. A person with autism may exhibit limited eye contact, unusual facial expressions, or refrain from using gestures such as pointing or waving.
• Developing and Maintaining Relationships: This encompasses forming friendships, sharing common interests, and recognizing social cues. They might prefer to play alone, struggle with group activities, or find it hard to understand unspoken social rules.

2. Restricted, Repetitive Patterns of Behavior, Interests, or Activities

This area focuses on certain behaviors and interests that are intense or unusual. These autism signs can include:

• Stereotyped or Repetitive Movements: This might involve hand flapping, rocking, spinning, or repeating certain phrases (echolalia).
• Insistence on Sameness/Routines: A strong need for things to be the same and resistance to changes in routine. This can lead to distress if routines are broken.
• Highly Restricted, Fixated Interests: Having very intense and focused interests that are unusual in their intensity or topic. For example, knowing everything about train schedules or vacuum cleaners.
• Unusual Reactions to Sensory Input: This means being either overly sensitive (hypersensitive) or under-sensitive (hypo-sensitive) to sounds, lights, textures, tastes, or smells. For instance, being bothered by certain clothing tags or not reacting to pain.

Here’s a quick look at these core areas and examples of autism signs:

Core Area Affected	Common Signs of Autism (Examples)
Social Interaction	– Limited eye contact 👀 – Not responding to name – Difficulty sharing focus (joint attention) – Prefers to play alone – Struggles with understanding others’ feelings
Communication	– Delayed speech or no speech – Repetitive phrases (echolalia) – Unusual tone of voice – Difficulty starting or keeping a conversation going – Not using gestures (pointing, waving)
Behaviors & Interests	– Repetitive movements (flapping hands, rocking) – Strong need for routines; upset by changes – Very intense or unusual interests – Unusual reactions to sensory input (sounds, textures) – Playing with toys in unusual ways (lining up, spinning parts)

Early Signs of Autism in Infants and Toddlers (Birth to 3 Years)

Catching the early signs of autism is incredibly important. The brain develops rapidly during these early years, and interventions can have a profound impact on development. Parents and pediatricians are key partners in noticing these autism signs. Regular check-ups are essential for developmental surveillance.

Here are some early signs of autism to watch for in infants and toddlers:

• By 2 Months: Does not smile back (reciprocal smiling).
• By 5 Months: Does not laugh or giggle.
• By 9 Months: Does not play peek-a-boo.
• By 12 Months:
  • Does not respond to their name when called.
  • Do not babble (e.g., “ba-ba,” “ma-ma”).
  • Does not make eye contact during feeding or interaction.
  • Do not show interest in copying your gestures (like waving or clapping).
• By 15 Months: Do not wave “bye-bye.”
• By 18 Months:
  • Does not point to show you something interesting (lack of joint attention).
  • Does not engage in pretend play (e.g., feeding a doll or driving a toy car).
  • Shows little interest in imitating you or others.
• Any Age (Infant/Toddler):
  • Lack of Joint Attention: This is a big one! It means a child doesn’t share focus with you by looking back and forth between you and an object of interest. For example, if you point to a bird, they don’t look at the bird and then back at you to share the experience.
  • Irritability or Difficulty with Self-Soothing: They may seem easily upset and have difficulty calming down.
  • Distant or Unresponsive: They might not react when looked at, touched, or hugged.
  • Repetitive Behaviors: Early signs can include hand flapping, rocking, or spinning.
  • Unusual Gaze: They might stare at objects for long periods or look at things from unusual angles.
  • Lack of Shared Pleasure: They appear to lack enjoyment in sharing positive experiences with others.
  • Sensory Peculiarities: They may be susceptible to certain sounds, foods, or textures of clothing.

“Joint attention is like a shared spotlight between two people. When a child doesn’t shift their gaze between an object and a person to share interest, it can be an important early indicator of autism.”

Remember, every child develops at their own pace. It’s best not to over-compare your child to others. However, if you have any doubts or notice several of these signs of autism, it’s always best to talk to your pediatrician. They can check your child’s hearing and vision first, as these can sometimes cause similar developmental delays.

Signs of Autism in Preschool and School-Aged Children (3-12 Years)

As children grow, the signs of autism can become more noticeable, especially as social demands increase. For school-aged children, the challenges often revolve around social interactions, communication, and dealing with changes.

Here are some signs of autism you might observe:

• Social Issues:
  • Difficulty Connecting: They might struggle to make friends or prefer to play alone, standing at the edge of group activities.
  • Overly Bossy or Rigid: They might try to control play, getting frustrated if peers don’t follow their rules or interests.
  • Lack of Social Cues: Trouble understanding unspoken social rules, body language, or facial expressions. This can make them seem uncooperative or unresponsive in class or on the playground.
  • Overwhelmed by Social Situations: Large groups or noisy environments can be very stressful for them.
  • Difficulty with Personal Space: They might get upset if their personal space is “invaded” or if they are rushed.
• Language and Communication Patterns:
  • Unusual Language: They might use words or phrases that seem “too formal” or unusual for their age.
  • Repetitive Questions/Phrases: Asking the same questions over and over or repeating words/phrases (echolalia).
  • Unusual Speech Tone: Their voice might sound flat, robotic, or singsongy.
  • Very Specific Interests: They may discuss a single topic at length, even if others aren’t interested.
• Behavioral Patterns:
  • Rigidity and Inflexibility: A strong need for routines and a lot of distress when routines change. Transitions (like moving from one class to another) can be very difficult.
  • Difficulty with Imagination: They may struggle with engaging in pretend play or imaginative scenarios.
  • Sensory Sensitivities: Still reacting strongly to certain sounds, lights, or textures.

Signs of Autism in Teens and Adults

For teens and adults, especially those with high-functioning autism, the signs of autism can sometimes be more subtle or harder to identify. They might have learned ways to cope, but underlying challenges in social and communication areas often remain.

Here are some common signs of autism in older individuals:

• Social and Communication Challenges:
  • Difficulty with Social Relationships: Struggling to initiate and maintain friendships or romantic relationships.
  • Naive or “Lack of Common Sense” Responses: They might say things that seem socially inappropriate or miss obvious social cues.
  • Literal Interpretation: They often interpret language very literally, missing jokes, sarcasm, metaphors, or idioms. This can lead to misunderstandings.
  • Unusual Conversation Patterns: They might dominate conversations by talking extensively about their specific interests, without much regard for the other person’s input.
  • Inappropriate Non-Verbal Cues: Eye contact, body language, and facial expressions might seem “off” or not match the situation.
• Behavioral and Interest Patterns:
  • Reliance on Routines and Rituals: A strong need for predictability and a reliance on established routines. Changes can still cause significant distress.
  • Limited Ability to Use Imagination: Although they may be highly intelligent, individuals with this limitation often struggle with abstract thinking, creative problem-solving, and future planning (executive function skills).
  • Intense, Specific Interests: They continue to have very deep and narrow interests in particular topics.
  • Sensory Sensitivities: These can persist into adulthood, affecting daily life.

Understanding these signs of autism across the lifespan helps both individuals with autism and those around them to navigate the world more effectively and find appropriate support.

When to Talk to Your Doctor About Signs of Autism

If you’re reading this and recognizing several signs of autism in your child or someone you know, it’s natural to feel worried. The most important thing is to act on your concerns.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Trust Your Gut: If something feels “off” about your child’s development, don’t ignore it. You know your child best.
2. Talk to Your Pediatrician: Schedule an appointment to discuss your observations and concerns. Be specific about the autism signs you’ve noticed. Your pediatrician can perform initial screenings and rule out other conditions, such as hearing loss, which can sometimes mimic the signs of autism.
3. Seek a Developmental Evaluation: If your pediatrician shares your concerns, they will likely refer you to a specialist for a formal developmental evaluation. This might involve a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, or neurologist.
4. Explore Resources: Early intervention services can be incredibly beneficial. These services can include speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral therapy. You can find general parenting resources and support on our website MomsFeeling.com.

Remember, getting an early diagnosis doesn’t label your child; it opens doors to support and strategies that can help them thrive.

Common Questions About Signs of Autism (FAQs)

Conclusion

Understanding the signs of autism is a powerful tool for parents, caregivers, and educators. While autism is a lifelong condition, early identification and intervention can significantly improve outcomes and help individuals with autism develop essential skills, thrive in their environments, and lead fulfilling lives. If you have any concerns about a child’s development, please don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional. Early action truly makes a difference.