Signs To Watch For

Research Diagnosis (Early Detection Signs)
According to the National Institute of Metal Health (NIMH), some possible early indicators of ASD include the following:

• Diminished ability to babble, point, or make meaningful gestures by one year of age.
• Diminished ability to speak one word by sixteen months.
• Diminished ability to combine two words by two years of age
• Diminished ability to respond to his or her name
• Diminished language or social skills
• Avoidance of eye contact
• Diminished ability to play with toys
• Obsessive compulsive behaviour
• Attachment to one particular toy or object
• Diminished ability to smile.

According to Karen Exkorn the following questions are helpful in identifying the various symptoms of ASD:

Does Your Two To Five-Year-Old Child…..

• Fail to respond when you call his or her name or seem generally unresponsive?
• Use his or her index finger to point to objects to indicate what he or she wants to show you.
• Have intermittent or no eye contact?
• Still not speak?
• Not speak anymore?
• Demonstrate odd or idiosyncratic speech or language such as endless repetition of nursery rhymes, echoes, words or phrases, or make unusual sounds?
• Demonstrate odd or idiosyncratic behaviour such as hand flapping, finger flicking, or constant spinning?
• Demonstrate a regression in overall behaviour including communication, play and social skills?
• Emotional volatility and tantrums that are out of control?
• Motor coordination when it comes to physical activities such as running or climbing?
• Fixation on objects such as ceiling fans or bright lights or parts of objects such as the wheels of a toy car?
• Exhibits high level of distraction?
• Excessive attachment to objects (persistently carrying around a statue or piece of string or frequently putting objects into his or her mouth)?
• Obsessive, repetitive behaviours such as opening and closing doors, turning light switches on and off, or lining up cars?
• Ritualistic behaviour such as lining up books on the floor in a specific order at specific times?
• Little or no spontaneous pretend play?
• Constant play with self, showing no interest in peers?
• Separation anxiety when parents leave.
• Resistance to change and insistence on sticking to specific routines or rituals.
• Self-Injurious behaviour such as head banging or hand biting.
• Fearlessness and insensitivity to pain
• Aversion to being hugged, cuddled, or touched.
• Unanimated facial expressions and/or a monotone voice.
• Extreme over-or under activity
• Diminished sensitivity or oversensitivity to sound, touch, or visual stimuli (such as loud noises, rough fabrics, or bright lights)
•   Unusual sleep patterns
• Eat only limited or specific foods

Although several ‘yes’ responses in the affirmative may be indicative of ASD, it is important for a formal diagnosis to be conducted in order to confirm your suspicion of autism. Your child’s doctor is usually a good start but further evaluation is highly recommended if you find that your child has several of the aforementioned symptoms. You may also contact any of the following organizations for further information.