How to Identify Signs of Autism in Infants and Toddlers



Autism is a complex developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. Identifying signs of autism in infants and toddlers can be difficult as there is no single test to diagnose the condition. However, there are certain behaviors that may indicate a child has autism.

One of the most common signs of autism in infants and toddlers is difficulty with social interaction. An infant or toddler may not respond when their name is called, avoid eye contact, or not respond to people they know well. Additionally, they may show difficulty engaging in back-and-forth conversations, instead preferring to talk about topics that interest them without responding to questions or comments from others.

Another sign of autism in infants and toddlers is repetitive behavior such as hand flapping, rocking back and forth, spinning objects, or repeating words or phrases over and over again. These types of behaviors can be seen as an attempt by the child to self-soothe when feeling overwhelmed by their environment.

In addition to these behaviors, children with autism often have difficulty understanding language or using it effectively for communication purposes. They may have trouble following directions or expressing their needs clearly through words. They might also fail to respond when spoken directly to them or use made up words instead of real ones when trying to communicate something specific.

Finally, children with autism often demonstrate sensory issues such as being overly sensitive (or under sensitive) to touch, sound, light or smell than other children their age would typically experience. They might react strongly (positively or negatively) when exposed certain textures like fabrics on clothing items for example; become easily distracted by loud noises; become overwhelmed by bright lights; and/or display an aversion towards certain smells like perfumes etc..

If you suspect your infant or toddler has any of these symptoms it’s important that you speak with your pediatrician right away so they can evaluate your child further and provide appropriate treatment options if needed

Tags:

. Autism, Infants, Toddlers, Social Interaction, Repetitive Behaviors, Language, Sensory Issues,

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