Potential signs of autism in children

A recent study published in The European Journal of Neuroscience suggests that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be seen in children as young as four months of age simply by watching how they respond to other people’s social interaction, as well as during games such as peek-a-boo or action songs such as Incy Wincy Spider. “We found that babies who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at infant age show lower levels of brain activity when playing interactive social games or watching people yawn or laugh,” says the study’s leader, Dr Sarah-Lloyd Fox.

We take a look at a few potential signs of autism (highlighted in the study) that parents should take note of.

Possible symptoms of ASD

• If your child doesn’t make eye contact with you and isn’t smiling by 10 weeks, or if she’s not engaging with you at all by the time she reaches the six-month mark. If there’s no eye contact, smiling, or laughing, then it’s worth having her checked.
• Pointing is also an important indicator of your child’s ability to interact and communicate. Little ones should be pointing by the age of 12 months. In fact, the simple act of pointing tells a lot about your child’s understanding of the world around her. If she points to others, it means she uses body gestures to show that she’s grasping the concept of mind-mindedness. Mind-mindedness refers to the idea that your child understands she’s seeing another person with their own mind and personality separate from her own.
• If your child isn’t speaking any words by the time she’s between the ages of two to three years, there could be a link to ASD.

Good to know: ASD is a complex disorder parents should be careful of diagnosing it purely on how their child engages with certain social activities. This should only serve as a clue as to whether to take your child for further testing.

Other signs of ASD to watch out for

• Little to no social interaction such as smiling, cooing, laughing, or eye contact
• No pointing between the ages of 12 to18 months
• The idea that your child is in her own world and isn’t aware of others around her (the concept of mind-mindedness)
• Little non-verbal signalling or body language
• Less than 18 to 20 words by 18 to 24 months.

The benefits of picking up ASD early

Studies have shown that about 10% of children who have been diagnosed with ASD in infancy will show great improvement by the time they hit their teens. There’s no harm in having your child assessed by your paediatrician or occupational therapist if you pick up any signs of ASD when interacting with him.