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WATCH
FOR EARLY SIGNS OF AUTISM
Signs of autism almost always develop before a child is
three yeas old, yet, it has become apparent that many
children are not diagnosed until much later, creating more
problems for the child and family. Children with autism
respond better to treatment if it begins by preschool. Early
diagnoses is so crucial that the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) has recently issued a news release calling
for pediatricians to do early autism screening on all
children.
Treatment cannot make autism must go away, but early
intervention and treatment can help the child cope in
regular environments. “Red Flags” for needed immediate
evaluation include:
- no babbling or pointing by 12 months
- no single words by 16 months
- no two-word spontaneous phrases by 24 months
- loss or social
skills at any age
Additional signs for
parents to observe:
- Not turning to look when
parents point for a child to observe an object
- Smiling late
- Failure to make eye contact
- Less likely to
form attachments with blankets, stuffed animal and may
prefer hard items such as flashlights, keys, action
figures, flashlights, etc, dolls
Autism impacts the
individuals in various degrees and ways, but will likely
include some or all of the following
1.Social interaction:
- Impaired nonverbal behaviors, such as eye
contact, facial expression, body posture
- Lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment;
social and emotional reciprocity
2. Communication:
- Delay or total lack of development of spoken
language
- Repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic
language
- lack of varied, spontaneous make believe play or
social imitative play
3. Restrictive repetitive and stereotyped patterns
of behavior, interests or activities
- Preoccupation with one or more patterns of
interest
- Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects.
Resources: Valley Mental Health’s Carmen
B. Center for
Children with Autism (801)581-0194
www.utah.networkofcare.org
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