Symptoms of Autism

July 6th, 2008

Autism is a developmental brain disorder that usually occurs in children under three years old.  The disease can affect various parts of the brain and result in symptoms such as restricted movement, repetitive movement and impairment of communication and social interaction. 

Some individuals have severe issues with Autism, such as movements involving flapping and rocking.  Others have various communication issues.  Individuals with Autism can be low, medium or high functioning depending on how much assistance they need with daily living.  There is no official threshold for these classifications, so they can be very controversial.

An individual with Autism usually has a pattern of several symptoms rather than just one symptom.  Symptoms usually occur during childhood and can continue through adulthood.  Some symptoms, for instance are showing less attention and reaction to stimuli than other people, not smiling, looking at others or using eye contact with others. 

Quite often, individuals with autism are quite intelligent but have few ways to show their intelligence.  They can understand more than what the people around them such as family, friends and caregivers realize, and in many cases have special abilities ranging from memorization of facts, unique use of computers, and even being a prodigy at music, art or in other areas. 

At least half of parents notice their child’s Autistic symptoms by 18 months and more parents are aware of these symptoms by 24 months of age.  It is essential that diagnosis and treatment be sought right away so that symptoms can be addressed – and minimized – to the fullest extent.

Symptoms that a majority of parents have reported include no babbling or baby talk by age 12 months, no pointing or waving – such as waving goodbye – by 12 months, not trying to say single or individual words by 12 months, no two-word combinations – especially spontaneously – by 24 months, and/or any loss of language or social skills at any age.

If your child – or a child you know – has these symptoms it is essential for them to be seen by their family doctor and/or a specialist as soon as possible so that they can be diagnosed, addressed and hopefully decreased.  There is more information regarding Autism every day, and there are promising treatments to help control or diminish symptoms when they are dealt with early.

Entry Filed under: Common Symptoms