Autism is a condition that affects people of all ages. It affects more boys than girls, and it affects more adults than children.
However, the crucial aspect of autism is that it can be recognized in babies when they’re young. There are early signs of autism in babies that can alert parents.
Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning there is no hard and fast rule to it. This makes it harder to generally recognize a baby’s autism, as unlike other disorders they tend to progress over time.
Still, there are early signs that you should look out for. Below, we’ve written a guide to some of the early warning signs of autism in babies.
Lack of Eye Contact
There are a few early signs of autism in babies that parents can be on the lookout for. One is a lack of eye contact. This can be a sign that your baby is not engaging with you and is not interested in looking at your face.
An early sign of autism is a delay in communication skills. This can manifest itself not only in a baby not making eye contact but also completely not responding to their name being called. Catching these signs can allow early intervention for autism.
Lack of Babbling as Early Signs of Autism in Babies
This can be a red flag because typically, babies will start to babble around the age of 4 to 6 months old. If your baby isn’t babbling by this age, it could be a sign that they’re on the autism spectrum.
Lack of Social Interactions
A complex developmental disability like Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be detected early. It typically appears during the first three years of age. The early signs are often related to social interactions.
Babies with ASD may not make eye contact with others or may avoid social interaction altogether. They may also have trouble communicating with others and may be either unresponsive or overly responsive to sensory input.
Repetitive Behaviors
This can manifest in different ways, but you may notice your child engaging in the same behavior over and over again. This could be anything from flapping their hands to stimming (self-stimulatory behaviors). Early detection can help with early intervention.
No Interests in Objects
A baby with autism may not be interested in playing with toys or may not look at objects when they are held up. This can be first observed when a baby does not reach for or grab objects.
More About Autism Spectrum DisorderÂ
If you are concerned that your baby may have autism, it is very important to talk to your doctor. There are early signs of autism in babies that can definitely be seen as young as six months old. These include not making eye contact, not responding to their name, and not smiling.
These early signs of autism can be difficult to detect, and babies with ASD may seem to develop normally at first. However, if you suspect that your child may be showing signs of ASD, it is important to talk to your child’s doctor as soon as possible.
With early intervention, children with ASD can learn to develop social and communication skills and lead happy, productive lives.