what are the signs?

Question

what are the signs for autism in a child under 2 and a half years old????
i know speech is one but what are all the different things children with autism do
i heard hating sand is a clue??is that true??

that was very very helpful embroid
my child definatly does alot of those things

Answer 1

My son just turned 3 and just went through evalutaion and was diagnosed with full Autism this week. I've read just about all you can on the internet about it. I highly suggest going to Autism Society(link below) They have so much info..it will tell you about autism, a-typical autism, rett's disorder, asperger's disorder, local chapters, etc,; other diseases that can develope later inlife with Autism, the differences, the similarities, diagnosis, treatment, etc., and others that are not part of PDD but share some symptoms of autism.... It's the best site you can find about autism and anything like it...I highly, highly reccomend it.

Here's a bit of what they have:

Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development.”

The five disorders under PDD are:

Autistic Disorder
Asperger's Disorder
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
Rett's Disorder
PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria which been outlined in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. Some individuals mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. They may have difficulty initiating and/or maintaining a conversation. Their communication is often described as talking at others instead of to them. (For example, monologue on a favorite subject that continues despite attempts by others to interject comments).

People with autism also process and respond to information in unique ways. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. Persons with autism may also exhibit some of the following traits:

Insistence on sameness; resistance to change

Difficulty in expressing needs, using gestures or pointing instead of words

Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language

Laughing (and/or crying) for no apparent reason showing distress for reasons not apparent to others

Preference to being alone; aloof manner

Tantrums

Difficulty in mixing with others

Not wanting to cuddle or be cuddled

Little or no eye contact

Unresponsive to normal teaching methods

Sustained odd play

Spinning objects

Obsessive attachment to objects

Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain

No real fears of danger

Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity

Uneven gross/fine motor skills

Non responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf, although hearing tests in normal range.

For most of us, the integration of our senses helps us to understand what we are experiencing. For example, our sense of touch, smell and taste work together in the experience of eating a ripe peach: the feel of the peach's skin, its sweet smell, and the juices running down your face. For children with autism, sensory integration problems are common, which may throw their senses off they may be over or under active. The fuzz on the peach may actually be experienced as painful and the smell may make the child gag. Some children with autism are particularly sensitive to sound, finding even the most ordinary daily noises painful.

The central features of Autistic Disorder are the presence of markedly abnormal or impaired development in social interaction and communication and a markedly restricted repertoire of activity and interest. The manifestations of this disorder vary greatly depending on the developmental level and chronological age of the individual. Autistic Disorder is sometimes referred to as Early Infantile Autism, Childhood Autism, or Kanner's Autism.

Central features of Autism:

A. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3):

1.Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

*Marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction

*Failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

*A lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest)

*Lack of social or emotional reciprocity

2.Qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:

*Delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gestures or mime)

*In individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others

*Stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language

*Lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level

3.Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

*Encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus

*Apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals

*Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)

*Persistent preoccupation with parts of object

B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years:

*Social interaction

*Language as used in social communication

*Symbolic or imaginative play

C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.

Answer 2

My rising sign is Capricorn- sextile my venus/pluto in Scorpio, conjunct my neptune in Capricorn, trine my moon in Gemini with saturn in Aquarius in the first house. Capricorn and saturn are associated with skin and bones. I have dry skin, but a great complextion. I have naturally strong, straight, well shaped, white teeth. I have never broken a bone or suffered an acne attack. I'm 5'7" and weigh enough to make me obese, but I have never been called "fat" by anyone. Capricorn rising has endowed me with being slender and well porportioned. I think the venus/pluto conjunction that sextiles my rising makes me look busty and big-hipped. I am often told that I have bedroom eyes, that they're very dark and steel-like, or that I look like I'm never there (dreamy neptune does this to me). Many of the people that I meet and befriend tell me that I'm intimidating. I tend to stare into people, rather than at people and I like to cross the line to see where the limits lie. I have both bold Scorpio and inquisitive Gemini to thank for my frequent inquisitions. When I start working on something, I won't stop until it's done. I've been called OCD because I tend to be a control freak and can't stand it when something is not done a certain way. I usually get my way and have a hard time accepting when I don't. If I'm really set on getting what I want, I work for it or manipulate the hell out of the people I need to get it. Needless to say, I keep few and very loyal friends. I'm very independant and enjoy being alone. I think the rising sign, it's aspects, and the planets in signs that aspect it influence both the personality and the physical self.

Answer 3

I think you have had some very useful answers here but, I will add that my nephew had always had an issue with biting peope when he was between 2-5.
Also he had an imaginary friend ... so we thought... that he would talk to. He still talks to someone. He usually likes to go out on the swing and that is his "zone" and he makes his noises there. I have no clue what he thinks while he does this... he will sound like he is firing guns and then squeal or just shout and act out a scene from who knows where!
He also flapps his hands a lot when he is excited or playing or making his noises. He is almost 10 now.
i am just glad we now know what is going n in side of him. He has Aspergers. It is a milder form of autism.
I also have a cousin who's son was just diagnosed with a different form EDS I think. He is hardly talking at all and nearly three.

There is such a broad spectrum of autism disorders that a child can have. I hope you get the answers you need! Much luck!

Answer 4

many young children are sensitive to different textures... so hating sand is not a good sign.
most of the students i have worked with demonstrate these signs:
- not really caring about surroundings or showing too much interest in toys
- not making eye contact, avoiding eye contact,
- doesn't seem affectionate... not wanting to be held or cuddle with parents, even if injured or upset
- likes to play alone... not with parents or children
- doesn't point out interesting objects such as fire trucks, air planes, cats, dogs... objects that most young children like to see and point out
- does not express needs or wants clearly
- seems to express displaced emotions... doesn't seem to know difference between happy/sad... throws tantrums for a reason that is not understood
- hate changes in routine... respond with tantrums or aggressiveness
- over or under sensitivity to pain, light, sound

some of these things can be caused by other things such as hearing or sight difficulties, and early signs of learning or emotional disorders.
there are also many types of pervasive developmental disorders that fall within what most call the autism spectrum disorder...
please do not panic or expect the worst. look at some of the websites i suggested. good luck!!

Answer 5

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of the National Institutes of Health says that autism spectrum disorders can often be reliably detected by the age of 3 years, and in some cases as early as 18 months. Further, they note that the appearance of any of the warning signs of ASD is reason to have a child evaluated by a professional specializing in these disorders.

Possible Indicators of Autism Spectrum Disorders

* Does not babble, point, or make meaningful gestures by 1 year of age
* Does not speak one word by 16 months
* Does not combine two words by 2 years
* Does not respond to name
* Loses language or social skills

Some Other Indicators
* Poor eye contact
* Doesn't seem to know how to play with toys
* Excessively lines up toys or other objects
* Is attached to one particular toy or object
* Doesn't smile
* At times seems to be hearing impaired

Social Symptoms
From the start, typically developing infants are social beings. Early in life, they gaze at people, turn toward voices, grasp a finger, and even smile.

In contrast, most children with ASD seem to have tremendous difficulty learning to engage in the give-and-take of everyday human interaction. Even in the first few months of life, many do not interact and they avoid eye contact.

Communication Difficulties
By age 3, most children have passed predictable milestones on the path to learning language; one of the earliest is babbling. By the first birthday, a typical toddler says words, turns when he hears his name, points when he wants a toy, and when offered something distasteful, makes it clear that the answer is "no."

Some children diagnosed with ASD remain mute throughout their lives. Some infants who later show signs of ASD coo and babble during the first few months of life, but they soon stop. Others may be delayed, developing language as late as age 5 to 9. Some children may learn to use communication systems such as pictures or sign language.

Repetitive Behaviors
Although children with ASD usually appear physically normal and have good muscle control, odd repetitive motions may set them off from other children.

Problems That May Accompany ASD
Sensory problems.
Mental retardation.
Seizures.
Fragile X syndrome.
Tuberous Sclerosis.

Answer 6

Some of the signs include:
1) Discomfort with certain touches, which may include textures of some clothes, or being held
2) Oversensitivity to stimuli, like putting hands over ears to loud or medium-loud sounds
3) Repetitive motions or odd motions
4) Poor eye contact
5) Poor social imitation, not copying what adults do, like not waving "bye bye" after an adult
6) Lack of speech, odd speech like saying "oi-oi-oi", or repeating speech, "we go? we go? we go?"
7) Preference for objects over people, like running over to the toys and ignoring friends at day care or relative's house
8) Fascination with spinning things, like spinning a pie pan top on the floor for hours

If you are concerned, take your child to a doctor or clinic. If the person says your child is fine, or will grow out of it, DON'T ACCEPT IT UNTIL YOU GET AN ANSWER YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH!!! Often professionals put off parents during valuable educational years!!!

Answer 7

no...just because a child hates sands does not mean they have autism although i can understand why you ask. children with autism have soo many sensory issues dealing with eating, touch, sound, sight etc. but look for eye contact in the child. look for flapping of the arms...look for odd behaviors that just dont seem right to you. look for self injury and high sensitivity to pain...look for sloooowww communication initations...does the child fixate on things for long periods of time? do sounds or clothing bother the child? does lack of communication skills frustrate the child into a full blown tantrum?? all things to consider...but check with doc! dont give up you are the childs biggest advocate and you know better than anyone else if there is a problem!