How to tell autism in a baby?  

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Detecting autism in a baby can be difficult since signs often become clearer as the child gets older, especially around age 2 or 3. However, there are some early signs to watch for. Keep in mind that all babies develop at their own pace, so not every baby with these signs will necessarily be diagnosed with autism. If you have concerns, it’s always a good idea to reach out to a healthcare professional or pediatrician.

Here are some early signs that might indicate autism in a baby:

  1. Lack of eye contact: Babies typically make eye contact as a way of connecting with others, but babies with autism may avoid eye contact or show limited interest in it.

2.   Delayed or absent social smiles: Babies with autism may not smile in response to familiar faces or social cues like other babies do.

3.  Limited response to name: Around 6-12 months, babies usually begin responding to their name, but some babies with autism might not react when their name is called.

4. Limited gestures: Babies typically start using gestures, like pointing or waving, around 9-12 months. A baby with autism may show fewer gestures or not use them at all.

5. Difficulty with shared attention: Babies develop a skill called “joint attention,” where they share their focus with others, like pointing at something they want to show you. Babies with autism may struggle with this or not show much interest in sharing experiences with others.

 

6, Unusual or repetitive behaviors: Babies with autism might engage in repetitive movements (like hand-flapping) or become overly focused on specific objects or routines.

7, Limited or absent babbling: Babies usually start babbling around 4-6 months, but babies with autism may show delayed speech development or not babble at all.

8, Sensory sensitivities: Some babies with autism are very sensitive to certain sensory experiences, such as bright lights, loud noises, or textures of certain fabrics.

If you notice any of these behaviors or have concerns, it can be helpful to keep track of the patterns and discuss them with a pediatrician. Early intervention can be incredibly beneficial for children with autism.

How does an autistic child behave?

 

Many autistic children use a set of behaviours to help them manage their emotions and make sense of their environment. Sometimes they’re done for enjoyment. Some things that can be linked to these behaviours include: being over- or under-sensitive to things like bright lights, noises, touch or pain.

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