The recent rise in publicity is causing more people to become aware of Autism and to wonder if their child may be Autistic. No one wants to imagine something could be wrong with their child. But then they see a news story or hear someone talking about a child that has Autism and they start to imagine that their own child may have signs of Autism.
The characteristics of Autism are many and they differ in each child. Even if you see some Autism symptoms in your child it does not mean they are Autistic. There are many medical conditions that have the same warning signs. Some children may be slower in their developmental milestones. Remember that each child develops at their own tempo and just because your child is not talking by the time they are twelve-months-old does not mean they have Autism.
If you worry about your child's progress speak to their Pediatrician. Only they can tell you if further testing should be considered. Many parents try to self diagnose their children. This can be a huge blunder. It takes a number of qualified medical specialists to diagnose Autism signs in a child. This Autism symptoms checklist cannot be done with one appointment, with one pediatrician. You will need a team of professionals evaluating your child. Remember, the earlier you have your child assessed the greater the chances of treatment helping the child.
Finding out if your child is Autistic can take time. It can be a life changing occurrence for both you and your child. Only when you find out if your child is Autistic can you begin the recommended course of action or continuing to see what is causing your child's problems if it is not Autism.
Signs of Autism that your child may need further evaluation include:
1. No eye contact
2. No communication at all; sounds or words.
3. No show of emotions.
4. Does not pretend play.
5. Use of repetitive movements.
6. If they show a hard time with schedule changes.
7. Do not respond to you when you are speaking to them; either with looks or words.
8. Doing things over and over again.
9. Loss of skills they knew.
10. An attachment to a certain food, or smell. These are sensory problems.
If you notice these signs in your child speak to your Pediatrician about them. Receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment plan are very important. But again; do not worry over every little thing. Remember, some children just take a little longer to reach their milestones.