2007-10-22 12:26:39 · 5 answers · asked by A K 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Autism is generally diagnosed in the toddler years, about age 3 on average, but earlier detection is becoming more common. Many of the symptoms of Autism are naturally underdeveloped in infants, babies, and toddlers so the lack of appropriate social skills, trouble communicating and display of unusual, repetitive behaviors are not always detectable for awhile since they are normal in the early years. If a baby is under a year old it is not likely anyone other than a highly trained specialist could detect anything reliably amiss. Parents can be very perceptive and any parent who suspicions something unusual with their child's behavior should contact their pediatrician for an evaluation.
2007-10-22 12:49:30 · answer #1 · answered by sevenofus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They wouldn't get diagnosed as a baby. Our son has autism.
As a baby, he didn't coo or babble. He didn't play with his hands or his feet. Not overt signs of autism. By the time he was 2 he had uttered one word- Momma. That's it. He threw outrageous tantrums starting at 13 months of age. By 15 months, he was already lining up his trucks, his toys, and stacking cans. Everything had an order or a purpose. He was fascinated with the way the wheels moved on his trucks and would roll them back and forth on the back of the couch while he was on the floor to watch. He was fascinated with lights and with ceiling fans. Any light- the light on the coffee pot for example. As a young toddler, he was standing and just staring at it.
All of these are not signs of autism by themselves. For us, the cooing and babbling bothered us- he should have been saying something. He said nothing. He would also sit where we put him- unlike our now 14 month old who is into everything! I get it now when they say, "into everything". I didn't before. If we sat him on the floor- he'd be there when we got back.
At 19 months, we had a consult to "ease our worries" his ped. said. Instead, the neurologist saw something else- and kept us coming back eventually to say, "your son has autism". I figured it already. He was officially diagnosed when he was 2. His ped. didn't think anything was wrong but I kept pressing for help- for the lack of speech, the odd behaviors, and the fact that he was mezmerized and I thought he had a hearing issue. He was tested 4 times and passed each time.
So- that's it in a nutshell- so to speak.
He is 11 now and the sweetest kid in the world. I swear he can talk to animals and insects. He can call out any animal and make friends with animals in a second. He has no fine motor skills and cannot tie his shoes, yet he can catch a cricket in less than a second. He cannot ride a bike and loves his scooter. He loves to read and reads my college textbooks for pleasure. WE go to the 1/2 price bookstore to stock him up- and it's always science related.
2007-10-22 12:55:42 · answer #2 · answered by NY_Attitude 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Its rare an infant has autism, the main indicator is if the baby doesnt respond to his/her name by 12 mos. It would be better you see a doctor, but this site is very helpful.
www.autismspeaks.org
2007-10-22 15:54:08 · answer #3 · answered by Glutenfreegirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This website should give you all the details.
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/special/common/634.html
2007-10-22 12:32:53 · answer #4 · answered by נєѕѕι¢α (ανα'ѕ мσмму) 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
questions like these are better answered by a doctor....not people playing doctor on here...
Best of Luck with your child....
2007-10-22 12:34:45 · answer #5 · answered by lelars30 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋