| er years are when children develop their | | | | At 24 months |
| communication, social and physical skills. Because | | | | Children are likely to be more sociable at this age, |
| autism is a developmental disorder, it is important for | | | | eagerness in the company of other children their age |
| parents or guardians to know the milestones in normal | | | | are expected. However, with autism, these children |
| development. With autism in toddlers, signs may range | | | | may demonstrate otherwise. Recognition of names |
| from mild to severe. When you notice abnormalities or | | | | with familiar objects and persons are evident in normal |
| delayed in certain areas, you should right away consult | | | | development-this may not be present with autistic tots. |
| these concerns with a professional. Keep in mind that | | | | Simple instructions are not followed. The child cannot |
| autism can be treatable especially when proper | | | | use simple phrases even so complete very easy |
| therapy is given the earliest time possible. Early | | | | sentences. Typical 2-year-olds can walk alone, begins |
| detection and cure makes all the difference in shaping | | | | to run, and can go and down the stairs with support |
| the child's future in the battle with autism. To guide you | | | | and can kick a ball. With autism, these tasks are rather |
| with autism in toddlers, signs and symptoms are as | | | | clumsy. An autistic child may stumble several times |
| follows: | | | | when attempting to walk. Body shaking and hand |
| At 12 months | | | | flapping are observed. |
| At this age, a normal child is expected to imitate | | | | At 36 months |
| people involved in his play. An autistic child instead, | | | | Autistic children still have very limited social interaction. |
| doesn't interact with other children. He/she prefers to | | | | By autism in toddlers, signs of disinterest in the |
| do things alone and even gets irritated when his/her | | | | environment would mean more frequent tantrums than |
| things are touched or if he is bothered. This is why | | | | what usual kids throw. They do not understand the |
| 'having their own world' is the best description of | | | | concept of 'mine', 'his/hers'. Instead, they are contained |
| autism in toddlers. Signs that 1-year-olds choose their | | | | in the concept of 'mine' alone. Games may still be |
| mother or usual caregiver especially when feeding is | | | | solitary when at this age, group play is anticipated. Play |
| clear. An autistic toddler doesn't have that kind of | | | | may mean constant lining up of toys. They have a |
| attachment even to these supposed to be 'trusted' | | | | tendency to be engrossed on staring at certain |
| individuals. Hugs are very seldom given by them, | | | | objects, steady or spinning, for a long period of time. |
| causing much frustration to the mother or parents. | | | | Affection is not openly given. They stay aloof to their |
| Normal children can also identify pictures when image | | | | environment. In communication, they are stuck at only |
| is being named. For autistic children, they do not identify | | | | speaking one to three words when at this age; more |
| or even respond to such activity. Eye contact is very | | | | complex sentences should be learned. When being |
| minimal for them. The usual speech patterns are also | | | | called at, they don't seem to react even when called |
| delayed. Single words that are hallmarks of this age | | | | by their name. |
| may not be evident to autistic children. | | | | |