| As more people become aware of autism, many | | | | they interact socially with other children? Do they |
| parents wonder what signs they should be looking for | | | | respond when called by their name? Do they |
| in their own children. While it can be difficult to | | | | recognize the names of others? Some autistic children |
| diagnose, studies have shown children as young as 12 | | | | begin to exhibit symptoms as toddlers. Maybe as a |
| months can exhibit symptoms of autism. Others may | | | | baby, your child did interact with their surroundings, but |
| not have symptoms until they become toddlers. Milder | | | | now seems to be withdrawing. |
| cases may not exhibit signs until a child is 4 or 5. Here | | | | Children tend to become more aware of the world |
| are a few things to look for in children as they develop. | | | | and their place in it as they age. Their communication |
| During the first year of life, healthy infants develop an | | | | skills become more advanced and they learn social |
| interest in their surroundings. They begin to recognize | | | | behavior. Most show an avid interest in other children |
| sights and sounds, interact with family members and | | | | and want to play. They understand more complicated |
| express emotions. While there are no recognized | | | | concepts and instructions, such as eating lunch before |
| diagnostic tests for autism at this young age, there are | | | | going back to playing. As a child grows, they are more |
| things a parent should look for in their baby. Some of | | | | able to appropriately express their emotions. Autistic |
| these not developing a social or joyful smile, not | | | | children may not exhibit these behaviors. |
| following objects with interest, no mimicking or babbling | | | | While none of these symptoms alone define autism, |
| and not actively interacting with his or her surroundings. | | | | they are all typical of an autistic child. By being aware |
| Autistic infants may or may not exhibit one or all of | | | | of potential signs and being informed about autism, |
| these signs. | | | | parents are key to diagnosis. If at anytime you are |
| As your son or daughter enters their second year of | | | | concerned about your children's development, consult |
| life, it becomes easier to recognize whether they are | | | | your pediatrician. Together you can determine what |
| achieving developmental milestones. Do they exhibit | | | | course is best for your child. Early intervention has |
| joy when a family member enters the room? Are they | | | | proven very beneficial to the development of autistic |
| repeating words and/or phrases they hear often? Do | | | | children. |