What are some of the signs of ASDs?
People with ASDs may have problems with social, emotional, and communication skills. They might repeat certain behaviors and might not want change in their daily activities. Many people with ASDs also have different ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to things. ASDs begin during early childhood and last throughout a person's life.
A child or an adult with ASD might:
Not play "pretend games" (like feeding a doll)
Not look at objects when another person points at them
Have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all
Avoid eye contact and want to be alone
Have trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
Prefer not to be held or cuddled or may cuddle only when they want to
Appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds
Be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play or relate to them
Repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language
Have trouble expressing their needs using typical word or motions
Repeat actions over and over again
Have trouble adapting when a routine changes
Have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel or sound
Lose skills they once had (for instance, stop saying words they were once using)
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What Are the Earliest Most Reliable Signs of ASD?
Play Skills
At age... Did your child...
4-12 months Enjoy toys for their sensory value, mouthing, feeling, and hearing them
12+ months Use toys as they were intended feed dolls
16+ months Give objects identities other than intended (use blocks as cars or food)
30 + months Imaginative play make believe/role play
Social Interaction
At age... Did your child...
4 months Show interest in faces, smile back, initiate smiles
6 months Relate to parents with joy, smile often when playing
9 months Orient to name, play give-and-take
12 months Use gestures to get needs met, repeat actions, show objects
15 months Check parent's facial expression, draw attention to objects of interest, begin to show empathy
18 months Pretend play, attract parental attention by looks or gestures
24 months Enjoy playing next to children, offer toys
36 months Imagine self as a character, talk for objects, play show and tell, talk about feelings
Joint Attention
At age... Could your child...
2 months: Exchange smiles
8 months: Follow a caregiver with his eyes
9 months: Follow a point
10 months: Show objects
12 months: Point to obtain an object
14 months: Point to indicate to another an object of interest
14 months: Look to others to gather social information
Investigate Further and Consider Autism if:
At age... Your child...
9 months: Did not babble
12 months: Did not point or gesture
16 months: Did not use single words
24 months: Did not use 2-word phrases
Any age: Had a loss of language or social skills
Play Skills
At age... Did your child...
4-12 months Enjoy toys for their sensory value, mouthing, feeling, and hearing them
12+ months Use toys as they were intended feed dolls
16+ months Give objects identities other than intended (use blocks as cars or food)
30 + months Imaginative play make believe/role play
Social Interaction
At age... Did your child...
4 months Show interest in faces, smile back, initiate smiles
6 months Relate to parents with joy, smile often when playing
9 months Orient to name, play give-and-take
12 months Use gestures to get needs met, repeat actions, show objects
15 months Check parent's facial expression, draw attention to objects of interest, begin to show empathy
18 months Pretend play, attract parental attention by looks or gestures
24 months Enjoy playing next to children, offer toys
36 months Imagine self as a character, talk for objects, play show and tell, talk about feelings
Joint Attention
At age... Could your child...
2 months: Exchange smiles
8 months: Follow a caregiver with his eyes
9 months: Follow a point
10 months: Show objects
12 months: Point to obtain an object
14 months: Point to indicate to another an object of interest
14 months: Look to others to gather social information
Investigate Further and Consider Autism if:
At age... Your child...
9 months: Did not babble
12 months: Did not point or gesture
16 months: Did not use single words
24 months: Did not use 2-word phrases
Any age: Had a loss of language or social skills
What should you do if you think a child or an adult has an ASD?
If you or your doctor think there could be a problem, ask for a referral to see a developmental pediatrician or other specialist, and you can contact your local early intervention agency (for children under 3) or public school (for children 3 and older).
***Alabama Autism & Asperger's Support Network
