HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY OF THESE BEHAVIORS IN YOUR CHILD:
- Avoids eye contact
- Excessive smelling or touching of objects
- Repetitive behaviors or interests
- Does not play with other children
- Talks with little expression or uses a sing-song voice
- Flaps hands; rocks; spins or stares
- Has an unusual interest or talking about only one topic
- Gets upset by certain sounds
- Likes only a few foods
- Does not smile by six months
- Not using single words by 16 months or not using 2 word phrases by 24 months
- Not respond to their name (the child may appear deaf)
- Not point at objects or things of interest, or demonstrate interest
- Not play “pretend” games
- Want to be alone
- Have difficulty understanding, or showing understanding, or other people’s feelings or their own
- Have no speech or delayed speech
- Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
- Give unrelated answers to questions
- Get upset by minor changes
Addition Signs to watch for:
- Have unusual interests and behaviors
- Have extreme anxiety and phobias, as well as unusual phobias
- Line up toys or other objects
- Play with toys the same way every time
- Like parts of objects (e.g., wheels)
- Become upset by minor change
If you have noticed any of the above behaviors, please speak with your child’s doctor at his or her next check up appointment. Your doctor can do a more thorough screening and guide you in the right direction for help if needed. Remember, the earlier the diagnosis of Autism, the better the overall outcomes may be later in life!!