Observation, not Medical Testing

Because there is no medical test for autism, diagnosis is made based on observation of behavior. Although developmental screening and evaluation relies on tests, the responses to the questions on those tests are behavior-related. it may seem, then, that autism is a subjective diagnosis, but it is not. While two children with the same diagnosis may not share the same symptoms, the broader categories of impaired communication and social functioning are hallmarks of autism.

Parents may realize that their child is not developing normally or seems to be “different” without being able to put their finger on a specific delay or deficit. it is important, then, for parents to understand how an autistic child may act, speak, talk, move, and interact. the sooner these observations are made, the sooner a child can be screened and evaluated, diagnosed and treated, so early observation of behaviors is critical.

Hallmarks of autism are deficits in social interaction, deficits in communication, and repetitive behaviors. the autistic child may appear not to know how to play and not engage in the give-and-take of normal social interaction or be able to play pretend games. an autistic child may not, for instance, pretend to feed a doll or role-play with action figures or other toys.

Autistic children may speak very little, or not at all, or fail to meet developmental guidelines for language acquisition and use. the child may appear to be in his “own world” or appear not to be listening when spoken to. Babies who are not responding to their own names by around age 1 may be exhibiting a symptom of autism.

Repetitive behaviors like touching objects or repetitive gestures may be present in the autistic child. Autistic children may have limited interests and an inability to determine when their interest is not shared by others. for instance, an autistic child may know a great deal about airplanes but very little else, and talk continuously about airplanes to the exclusion of other topics even when his audience is clearly not interested.

Observe and Learn

For parents, reading about these behaviors is certainly useful since it can help parents to understand that their child’s behavior may have an underlying, treatable cause and that their child is not the only one affected by these behaviors. But actually seeing what these behaviors look like in diagnosed children can present a learning opportunity for parents.

Patricia Towle, Ph.D., a clinical child psychologist with the Westchester Institute for Human Development in Valhalla, new York, has produced a 90-minute DVD called “Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children: a Visual Guide/ Volume I: an Overview, Learning to Observe Across the Three Symptom Domains.” the DVD, as the name suggests, lets parents see what the behaviors associated with autism look like in young children. This visual guide presents a unique opportunity for parents to observe behaviors they may have observed in their own child. Seeing these behaviors “in action” may help parents to better understand their own child’s behaviors and help parents become better advocates for their child’s care.

The DVD is available for order here.

There are three key categories of training clothed in which symptoms and signs of Autism force illustrate up.? they are party interaction, speech and behavior.

Social interaction:? a child recurrently willpower not comeback at what time his or her call is called or at what time he or she is in a straight line vocal to.? the child may possibly appear to not ensue experienced of the personality who is native tongue to him or her.?? individual of the symptoms and signs of Autism involves human being self-same precision to how equipment consider next to the skin.? Therefore, a child exhibiting symptoms desire frequently be present popular conflict to nation property or snuggling by him or her. ?

Poor discernment drop a line to is any more traditional symptom with the intention of is exhibited.? Frequently, children who are exhibiting symptoms and signs of Autism willpower appear comparable they are absolutely clothed in their identifiable world.? they willpower not acknowledge or equal be present experienced of additional ancestors popular their area. they besides willpower boast thumbs down impression of the feelings of additional people.

Language:? individual of the potent symptoms and signs of Autism is at what time a child begins to talk in a while than additional children.? An autistic child may possibly mislay the gift to declare expressions or sentences with the intention of he or she may possibly articulate before.? an additional symptom is for a child to pose for something, except not force to discernment drop a line to in the midst of the personality who is human being vocal to. ?

Children by autistic tendancies manipulate a singsong articulate by the side of times.? additional era they may possibly talk popular a automatic tone of voice.? individual of the informative symptoms and signs of Autism is the incapacity to get on your way or assert a conversation.? Children who boast autism manipulate a fantastic pact of repetitive language, except they frequently perform not twig how to manipulate the recurring expressions or phrases or make out the import of come again? they are saying.? discover extra re mild symptoms of Autism here.

Behavior:? individual of the informative signs and symptoms of autism is come again? is recognized for example “flapping,” which refers to the mode autistic children fluster their hands backside and forwards suddenly clothed in border of their faces.? Children who boast autistic tendencies achieve a allocation of repetitive movements.? they desire fabricate self-same special routines.? at what time these routines are altered or interrupted, autistic children typically turn out to be disturbance or angry. ?

Constantly sad or rocking backside and forwards is collective for children who present signs of autism.? they may possibly be present crazed in the midst of sad parts or undeniable objects.? countless children who are performance symptoms and signs of autism are obdurate to pain.? Conversely, they are unusually delicate to light, sounds, and touch.

If you ponder your child is performance several signs of mild Autism, find them to a medical doctor to be present hardened and diagnosed at the same time as presently because viable as a result with the intention of you bottle activate guidance and dealing for your child.

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this is not for my own child but for a close family members child who is now 2yr 3months, if he had autism, what would the symptoms be?

There are three distinctive behaviors that characterize autism. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling.

I know it must be hard for your friends waiting for the diagnosis, but autism is a complex disorder. A comprehensive evaluation requires a multidisciplinary team including a psychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist, and other professionals who diagnose children with ASDs. the team members will conduct a thorough neurological assessment and in-depth cognitive and language testing. Because hearing problems can cause behaviors that could be mistaken for autism, children with delayed speech development should also have their hearing tested. After a thorough evaluation, the team usually meets with parents to explain the results of the evaluation and present the diagnosis.

Possible Early Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorders include

Children and adults with an autism spectrum disorder might:
•Not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll)
•Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over)
•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 might 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 to, play with, or relate to them
•Repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language (echolalia)
•Have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
•Repeat actions over and over again
•Have trouble adapting to changes in routine
•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)
•Talk to your child’s doctor or nurse if your child loses skills at any age.

Examples of Specific Language Issues
•repeats words/phrases of others (Echolalia)
•uses own language (jargoning)
•repeats a word or phrase
•reverses pronouns I/me/my and you/your
•refers to self by name
•does not respond to conversational initiation
•gives unrelated answers to questions
•makes comments unrelated to conversation topic
•does not point
•does not respond to pointing
•uses few or no gestures
•talks in monotone or robot-like
•does not respond to own name
•no pretend play; doesn’t understand pretend play
•does not understand jokes, sarcasm, idioms, teasing, or similes

Examples of Specific ASD Repetitive Behaviors and Unusual Interests
•lines up toys
•plays with toys in same manner every time
•is very organized
•is rigid about routines or object placements
•upset by changes
•eat few foods or only certain textures
•eats inedible things (pica)
•smells food
•insensitive to pain
•unaware of danger (e.g., hot things)
•tantrums for no apparent reason
•has obsessive interests
•hand flapping/finger flicking/toe walking
•self-stimulation
•likes spinning objects
•likes to spin him/herself
•likes parts of objects (e.g., wheels)
•does not use toys appropriately (lines up cars by color rather that zooming them)
•special areas of talent or expertise
•perseveration
•walks over things (e.g., toys) unaware

Hear are some "red flags" for autism in early childhood

Communication
• no babbling by 11 months of age
• no simple gestures by 12 months (e.g., waving bye-bye)
• no single words by 16 months
• no 2-word phrases by 24 months (noun + verb – e.g., “baby sleeping”)
• no response when name is called, causing concern about hearing
• Loss of any language or social skills at any age

Behaviour
• Odd or repetitive ways of moving fingers or hands
• Oversensitive to certain textures, sounds or lights
• Lack of interest in toys, or plays with them in an unusual way (e.g., lining up, spinning, opening/closing parts rather than using the toy as a whole)
• Compulsions or rituals (has to perform activities in a special way or certain sequence; is prone to tantrums if rituals are interrupted)
• Preoccupations with unusual interests, such as light switches, doors, fans, wheels
• Unusual fears

Social
• Rarely makes eye contact when interacting with people
• Does not play peek-a-boo
• Doesn’t point to show things he/she is interested in
• Rarely smiles socially
• more interested in looking at objects than at people’s faces
• Prefers to play alone
• Doesn’t make attempts to get parent’s attention; doesn't follow/look when someone is pointing at something
• Seems to be “in his/her own world”
• Doesn’t respond to parent’s attempts to play, even if relaxed
• Avoids or ignores other children when they approach

I also have issues with my son's Autism. I posted my question on wish123 and got an answer from an expert who solved my problem. Worth a try.

You could notice that he doesn't talk until an older age than most little kids.

What makes you think he is autistic?

the only one i know of is walking on their tip toes alot…