Autism Warning Signs

I responded to a post re: concerns about autism a few months ago and said that I had a short list of warning signs, but didn't know where it was.  I found it:

"Alert your doctor if you notice any of these warning signs:

* by 2 to 3 months, your baby isn't making frequent eye contact

* by 3 months, he isn't smiling at you and the sound of your voice

* by 1 year, he isn't consistently turning to you when you call his name and beginning to wave bye-bye and babble back and forth with you.

* by 18 months, he isn't pointing to things he wants

* at any time, he shows a loss of any previously mastered skills

It's the consistent lack of interest in wanting to connect with others that defines autism, notes Chris Plauche Johnson, M.D."

 Thank you for posting this!

thank you for posting this

 Can I add that the BEST site out there on Autism is www.autismspeaks.org and there is link to videos with babies showing certain behaviors which many parents have found helpful and for recently diagnosed there is the 100 day kit, downloadable resource written for parents by parents 100 days post diagnosis (very good).

Excellent information ladies, thank you all very much

I would also like to say thank you.

Just wanted to add that my eldest has severe autism, however he gave good eye contact,smiled,giggled and laughed with us at the baby stage. It was only around 18 months that the pointing at things had'nt been acheived and he began to 'ignore' us that we sought out help and after 18 months of monitoring at special centres we were given the ASD diagnosis. Not all ASD children show any signs when babies.

Hi,

can I ask a question? I was wondering my son is 15 months old and he doesnt babble, wave, point at things etc. That was abit concerning for me since my first son was saying words by now. So I booked a checkup at the early childhood centre last month and they said his development was in the 6 - 12 month which isnt normal and said when they dont babble or gurgle, dont point at things its usually because of hearing problems cause they cant respond to your voice, but his hearings fine! I sit behind him and will say something and he turns around so he can hear me fine! but she insisted I get his hearing checked to rule that out, so when I go to his hearing appointment on wednesday and they say his hearing is fine is this a possibility? The weird thing is Ive known theirs something not right but I got no clue what it could be, but I thought you cant tell if a child has autism until they are 18 months and over?  any input would be greatly appreciated, I dunno mabye its nothing?

lauza_au:

but I thought you cant tell if a child has autism until they are 18 months and over? 

For the lady asking about the 18 month age......

Yes some babies do show signs of autsim,however to make a diagnosis before this and without at least a years worth of observation is not conclusive and can give children a 'label' without good enough monitoring.

Here in the UK a child that is referered for suspected autism goes to an assessment centre where they are monitored by specialists who observe they behaviour,play,social skills,communication etc.

There is no 'test' such a blood test that can give an answer.

The reason that a child should not be given an autsim diagnosis so early (before at least 18 months) is that not all the signs of autsim can be seen. There are other factors that should not be ignored in the rush for a diagnosis.

I can understand parents who already have a child with autism may seek out these places that offer to diagnose a baby, but I would be very sceptical in trusting their answer as they cannot possibly say a definate yes or no at such a young age. They really can offer a 'may be' but then a true diagnosis will only be established at a later stage where the whole umbrella of the spectrum can be assessed.

luv4boys -

wow I had no idea it can be diagnosed that early, I just remember hearing once somewhere about the 18 months being the age... Im in sydney, but I just might wait out the hearing test and see what the nurses at the early childhood centre think after that, I dont want to make a big deal and it turning out to be nothing... Can he have a few of the early signs and it can just be slow development or something?

victoria b

Thanks that was very helpfull information it makes sense now about the age

Hi, no problems Laura.

I have a seven year old son with severe autism so I have been through it all and have studied a lot about it.

Unfortunately because there is not a standard blood test or any one easy quick diagnosis parents feel lost and alone when they start on this journey. As I said previously, be carfeul of promises of a diagnosis before at least 18 months as they are not a definate.

VictoriaDB:

As I said previously, be carfeul of promises of a diagnosis before at least 18 months as they are not a definate.

 

Laura

I have contacts in Sydney as well if you want to have them after the hearing test..I was just there working with KU Children's services - they are starting a new centre in Liverpool and I was training them.  

victoria-

severe autism, does that make it very hard for you? yeah I guess ill just have to wait and see

Luv4boys-

yeah thankyou that would be great, ku isnt that kuringai? Im right near their.

I will let you guys know how the hearing test goes its this wednesday, I will probably drop into the early childhood centre thursday morning and tell them the results and see what they have to say, I will bring this all up to them cause its abit worrying that he has a 3 of those signs, also Ive just started to notice in the last few weeks when I pick him up he wont give me eye contact when I say his name and try talking to him, he'll just keep turning his head left and right avoiding mine, but if his on the floor and i call his name he will turn around so I dont know? why would he only do it when I hold him and not on the floor which confuses me cause if it was autism wouldnt he be ignoring me when his on the ground too?