Autism - Signs, Symptoms, Treatments, Resources, Support for Autism

The signs of autism are more noticeable in a child’s second year. While other children are forming their first words and pointing to things they want, a child with autism remains detached. Signs of autism include: No single words by 16 months No pretend games by 18 months No two-word phrases by age 2 Loss of language skills No interest when adults point out objects, such as a plane flying overhead Other Signs and Symptoms People with autism sometimes may have physical symptoms, including digestive problems such as constipation and sleep problems. Children may have poor coordination of the large muscles used for running and climbing, or the smaller muscles of the hand. About a third of people with autism also often have seizures.

Even young infants are very social, so it’s possible to detect signs of autism in how babies interact with their world. At this age, a child with an ASD may: Not turn to a mother’s voice Not respond to his own name Not look people in the eye Have no babbling or pointing by age one Not smile or respond to social cues from others Babies who do not have autism can have these behaviors, too, but it's best to contact your doctor right away with any concerns.

Many people with autism are mentally challenged. In contrast to mental retardation alone, which is characterized by relatively even skill development, people with autism show uneven skill development. They may have problems in certain areas, especially the ability to communicate and relate to others. But they may have unusually developed skills in other areas, such as drawing, creating music, solving math problems, or memorizing facts. For this reason, they may test higher -- perhaps even in the average or above-average range -- on nonverbal intelligence tests. Some of the different types of autism spectrum disorders include: Autistic disorder.  This is what most people think of when they hear the word "autism." It refers to problems with social interactions, communication, and imaginative play in children younger than 3 years. Asperger's syndrome. These children don't have a problem...

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends screening children for autism during regularly scheduled well-child visits . This policy helps doctors identify signs of autism early in its course. Early diagnosis and treatment can help the child reach his or her full potential. When a developmental delay is recognized in a child, further testing can help a doctor find out whether the problem is related to autism , another pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) , or a condition with similar symptoms , such as language delays or avoidant personality disorder . If your primary care provider does not have specific training or experience in developmental problems, he or she may refer your child to a specialist-usually a developmental pediatrician, psychiatrist , speech therapist, or child psychiatrist-for the additional testing. Behavioral assessments . Various guidelines and questionnaires are used to help...

Sleep medications should only be used as a last resort with children. There are a number of lifestyle changes and natural sleep aids that can improve sleep time and quality in kids with autism: Avoid giving your child stimulants such as caffeine and sugar before bed. Establish a nighttime routine: give your child a bath, read a story, and put him or her to bed at the same time every night. Help your child relax before bed by reading a book, giving a gentle back massage , or turning on soft music.  Shut down television, video games, and other stimulating activities at least an hour before bedtime. To prevent sensory distractions during the night, put heavy curtains on your child's windows to block out the light, install thick carpeting, and make sure the door doesn't creak. Ask your pediatrician about giving your child melatonin just before bedtime. This dietary supplement is often used as a sleep aid to help people get over jet lag. It may help normalize s...

Researchers don't know for sure why autistic children have problems with sleep, but they have several theories. The first has to do with social cues. People know when it's time to go to sleep at night, thanks to the normal cycles of light and dark and the body's circadian rhythms. But they also use social cues. For example, children may see their siblings getting ready for bed. Children with autism, who often have difficulty communicating, may misinterpret or fail to understand these cues. Another theory has to do with the hormone melatonin , which normally helps regulate sleep-wake cycles. To make melatonin, the body needs an amino acid called tryptophan, which research has found to be either higher or lower than normal in children with autism. Typically, melatonin levels rise in response to darkness (at night) and dip during the daylight hours. Studies have shown that some children with autism don't release melatonin at the correct times of day. Instead...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 88 kids has an autism spectrum disorder, but no one knows what causes them. Scientists think that there's a connection to genetics (something to do with a kid's genes) and the environment. Some kids might be more likely to get autism because it runs in their families. Other kids get it even if nobody in their family has these types of problems. The earlier a child starts getting help, the better. But figuring out if a kid has an autism spectrum disorder can be difficult at the beginning. A parent is usually the first to think that something could be wrong. Maybe the child is old enough to speak but doesn't. Or a kid doesn't seem interested in people, has a hard time playing with others, or acts in unusual ways. If you've recently learned that your child has or might have an autism spectrum disorder, you're probably wondering and worrying about what comes next. No parent is ever prepared ...