The main symptoms of autism

Autism spectrum disorders are more common in boys than in girls. It is estimated that in the United States alone, this condition affects 3.4 out of every 1,000 children between the ages of 3 and 10. However, this number appears to be increasing.

The earlier the disorder is diagnosed, the sooner intervention can begin and the better the results will be. That’s why it’s so important for parents to seek specialized help as soon as they suspect their child has an autism spectrum disorder. While progress is indeed very slow and requires a great deal of patience, early detection can make a huge difference in the life of a child with autism.

In general, children with autism show deficits in three main areas:

– Social interaction

– Verbal and non-verbal communication, and

– Repetitive behaviors and interests

In addition, they often have unusual responses to sensory experiences, such as certain sounds or the shape of objects. Each of these symptoms varies greatly, ranging from mild to very severe, and will manifest differently in each child. For example, a child may have difficulty with social interaction but can learn to read without major problems. Each child will exhibit unique communication patterns and behaviors.

In most cases, communication and social skills problems become more apparent as the child grows and falls behind their peers in development. Often, between 12 and 36 months, it becomes noticeable that they react differently and exhibit unusual behaviors.

Some parents say the change happens suddenly, and their children begin to reject people, act strangely, and lose the language and social skills they had previously acquired. In other cases, there is a plateau or leveling of progress; that is, the child falls behind, and the difference with their peers becomes more noticeable.

The main symptoms of autism are: 

1. He/She does not babble, point, or make significant gestures at 1 year old
2. He/She doesn’t even say a word at 16 months
3. He/She cannot combine two words at age 2 
4. He/She does not respond to his name 
5. He/She loses language or social skills 
6. Poor eye contact 
7. He/She doesn’t seem to know how to play with toys
8. He/She is attached to a particular toy or object
9. He/She doesn’t smile 
10. Sometimes it seems like he/she has hearing problems

If you notice any of these symptoms of autism, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible. This developmental disorder is usually diagnosed by psychologists or psychiatrists, who can advise you on the appropriate course of action.