Autism is a theme that is increasingly discussed in a past few years, not only in our country but also worldwide. According to the Center for Disease Control in the US, knowadays 1 in 68 children have some form of the disorder, compared with 1 in 88 children in 2012 and 1 in 110 children in 2010. Therefore, it is not surprising that many parents of babies and young children are asking themselves “Will my child have autism?”.

In order to help many worried mothers and fathers to answer this question, the expert Connie Cassarie, a psychology professor and member of the Centre for Research and Treatment of Autism at the University of California, state 5 early warning signs of autism that cannot be ignored. “Numerous studies have shown that early intervention is most important to achieve the best outcomes for children with autism and many believe that the earlier you find, the better” – she says.

1.DO BABIES RESPOND TO THEIR NAMES WHEN IT’S PRONOUNCED?

Usually babies develop normally respond to their names, drawing attention to the person calling them. Unlike, babies who were later diagnosed with autism often do not react when they hear their names. Only about 20% of cases these children spin and look at each person calling them. Babies with autism often selectively react to sounds. For instance, a baby with autism may not turn their head when their parents name calling, but suddenly react to switching on the TV.

Often parents mistakenly suspect that their child has hearing problems.

2.DO THE CHILD INVOLVES IN ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE ‘MUTUAL ATTENTION’? 

“Mutual attention” means child joins another person observing the same object or the same activity. Usually babies diverted gaze from people to objects, look at the direction in which they get to show their hand or toys or other items on those around them.

For example, a baby can show its finger to the dog and to look at their parents as if it’s saying: “Look at this!” But child with autism do not look in the direction showed by someone, it diverts gaze from people to objects and vice versa, nor shows toys and items to their parents.

3.DOES THE CHILD IMITATE OTHERS?

Babies imitate others, either through facial movements (eg, making funny faces), creating specific sounds with their voices, or by waving, clapping their hands and other similar gestures. Babies with autism, however, very rarely mimic others’ facial expressions or gestures with their hands.

4.DOES THE CHILD RESPOND TO OTHER PEOPLE EMOTIONS?

Babies laugh when someone laughs, begin giggling or smile while playing with toys. When a normal child sees a child crying, it can cry to express concern. On the other hand, a child with autism may not respond to others’ smiles or invitations to play and may look like not to notice the cries of others.

5.DOES THE CHILD ENROLL IN THE ACTING GAMES?

Young children adore games with transforming (to pose as his mother, father, baby, horse or dog). The ability of such games usually develops late in the second year. For example, a child can act that it is the mother of one of the dolls, to comb their hair or prepares dinner on the stove toy. Unlike a child with autism may not be linked to objects or to devote themselves fully to just one toy. Some children obsessively monitor the movements of their hands.

Generally, the ability for games which include acting are absent in autistic children under 2 years of age.As far as you’re concerned about your baby’s behavior, you should consult your pediatrician right away.