The term “spectrum” helps understand the concept of autism better, as the intensity, symptoms and behavioural pattern vary considerably in each person. Children as well as adults with autism can have varied capabilities ranging from cognitive and language impairments (nonverbal and asocial) to superior cognitive and language abilities (those who pursue studies and career). Apart from learning and cognitive deficiencies, autism may also lead to sensory and feeding problems.

Autism can be managed effectively if identified and intervened in the early stages.

Early Signs Of Autism

Autism Symptoms In Babies

We recommended that you seek immediate medical advice if your baby does not:

Establish eye contact – say, does not look at you when being fed
Does not smile, even if you smile
Respond when you call the baby by his/her name
Respond to familiar voices
Does not cuddle/respond to cuddles
Make any noise to seek attention
Imitate your facial expressions/movements
Reach out to you and ask to be picked up
Play with other people or express enjoyment
Wave, point finger or use gestures to communicate
Follow gestures
Follow objects visually
Ask for help or something he/she needs

Developmental Milestones

Get your child evaluated by a Paediatrician without delay if he/she shows delays in achieving the following developmental milestones:

By 6 months: No big smiles or joyful expressions
By 9 months: No sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions
By 12 months: Doesn’t respond when called by name
By 12 months: Doesn’t babble or baby talk
By 12 months: Doesn’t make gestures like pointing, reaching or waving
By 16 months: Doesn’t speak/ learn words
By 24 months: Doesn’t say meaningful, two-word phrases

Autism Symptoms In Older Children

Signs and symptoms of Autism become more pronounced as the child grows older. This can include impaired social skills, difficulties with speech and language, non-verbal communication difficulties and rigid behaviour .

Social Difficulties

Unaware of other people or disinterested in what’s going on around them
Doesn’t like to be touched, held or cuddled
Won’t emotionally connect with others, play or make friends
Doesn’t play “pretend” games, play in groups, imitate others or use toys creatively
Has trouble in understanding or expressing feelings
Won’t listen/ no response when spoken to
Doesn’t share interests, achievements or toys with others
Always in their own world - aloof and detached

Speech And Language Difficulties

Speaks in an abnormal tone with an odd rhythm or pitch
Starts speaking late
Keeps repeating the same words/phrases/sounds
Incorrect use of language
Difficulty in communicating one’s needs
Doesn’t understand questions and directions
Responds to a question by repeating it
Refers to one self as a third person
Takes what is said literally (doesn’t understand humour or sarcasm)

Nonverbal Communication Difficulties

Avoids eye contact
Facial expressions doesn’t match the situation/ question
Does not respond to other’s facial expressions, tone of voice or gestures
Acts robotic: limited gestures
Unusual reaction to sights, smells, textures, and sounds
Extra sensitivity to loud noises
Abnormal posture or way of walking
Extreme clumsiness
Difficulties in social interaction

Inflexibility

Follows a rigid routine – doesn’t like change even in the smallest of things
Difficulty in adapting to changes in schedule or environment
Abnormal attachment to toys or even odd objects like light switches etc.
Lines up or arranges things in a certain order
Narrow topics of interest that often involve numbers or symbols (like memorising facts about maps etc.)
Watching moving objects/ focusing on one specific part of an object
Repeats the same actions/ movements over and over again (self-stimulatory behavior, or “stimming”)

Self-Stimulatory Behaviour