Im just wondering about if and when kids with Autism start to show signs of having Autism. I have no reason to suspect that my kids are autistic, (they are allmost 6 months old) I just dont know much about autism nor do i know anyone with an autistic child.
Any advice is helpfull. Thanks
My children are not autistic but I have heard from other parents that say they noticed something "off" around 16-18 months.
If you want to generally know if your kids are developing typically, you may want to enroll in a free developmental program. Not sure what they are called in NM but in AZ, we have Healthy Families, First Steps and a few others. They are free and available even if your child is not delayed. They just help you monitor milestones and give you tips on keeping them on track. You can probably google it for your area or ask their pediatrician.
I have seen children as young as 9 months show signs of autism (no eye contact, no interest in social interaction) but they wouldn't be diagnosed until a little older since you need to meet a criteria of multiple symptoms (I believe it's about 11 items). I'm sure you can find the list online.
Good luck!
Since Autism is a spectrum or huge range of behaviors and reactions, this is a very difficult disorder to pinpoint. I agree that you can begin to see 'signs' early on when a child is just over a year, but those signs can lead to many different diagnosis or just signify slow developemental growth.
I personally think the term 'autism' is overused. We are labeling children that twenty years ago would not have a label. The label only is valuable if it steers the parents into the proper therapy or education for their child. But personally, I don't think we should need a label to have the right resources for our children.
what krista p. described is known as "regressive autism" and it is very rare. most forms of autism present with developmental delays early on. the main one being a "disinterest" in communicating with people.
Hi.
Not to trivialize any concerns you may have, but I fear you have got yourself wrapped up in worrying about something you needn't be concerned about. Gathering information on when autism might show itself, or the signs that might indicate your children have it, will just further your anxiety. If you have no reason to suspect any problems, put such unecessary worries out of your mind and enjoy your beautiful children.
Good luck!
At my son's 18-month checkup, they gave me the M-CHAT to fill out. That was the begining of the road that led to his being diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
My daughter is 8 years old and has Autism. We started noticing signs around 12-18 months. She did not have eye contact with anyone except her father and I. She didn't say any words. She started going to daycare at about 18 months and she did not interact with the other children, she would sit by herself away from everyone else, when they tried to engage her she was not interested. She stopped eating different kinds of foods. I have heard moms say they knew something was different from the moment they were born. That is not the case for us. My daughter was developing normally in all other milestones, she held her head up, crawled, babbled, started walking at 9 months. If for some reason you have concern, mention your concerns to your pediatrician and they will direct you in the right way.
Typically developing children have an "even" pattern of language and social development (search the American Academy of Pediatricians for the milestones). Children with Autism develop "typically" until around the age of 2 or even 3 and then begin to "lose" their communication and social skills.
Many parents notice social delays and communication delays around 18 months.
