Autism Warning Signs

Autism is a spectrum disorder. The symptoms and characteristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe. Although there are many signs, by one year of age, any child who:

• does not point
• does not engage with others
• has little or no eye contact
• does not babble or begin to use words

should be referred to a developmental specialist.

According to the Autism Society of America, many children and adults with autism may make eye contact, show affection, smile and laugh, and demonstrate a variety of other emotions, although in varying degrees. Like other children, they respond to their environment in both positive and negative ways.

Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. People with autism process and respond to information in unique ways. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. Persons with autism may also exhibit some of the following traits.

• Insistence on sameness; resistance to change
• Difficulty in expressing needs; uses gestures or pointing instead of words
• Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language
• Laughing, crying, showing distress for reasons not apparent to others
• Prefers to be alone; aloof manner
• Tantrums
• Difficulty in mixing with others
• May not want to cuddle or be cuddled
• Little or no eye contact
• Unresponsive to normal teaching methods
• Sustained odd play
• Spins objects
• Inappropriate attachments to objects
• Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain
• No real fears of danger
• Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity
• Uneven gross/fine motor skills
• Not responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf although hearing tests in normal range.

There are many myths and misconceptions about autism. Contrary to popular belief, many autistic children do make eye contact; it just may be less or different from a non-autistic child. Many children with autism can develop good functional language and others can develop some type of communication skills, such as sign language or use of pictures. Children do not "outgrow" autism but symptoms may lessen as the child develops and receives treatment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in partnership with the many organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, has launched an awareness campaign to educate parents about childhood development, including early warning signs of autism and other developmental disorders. The earlier a child with a developmental delay receives appropriate assessment and intervention, the better the developmental outcome can be. Read more...

Please visit the CDC autism awareness campaign Web site to view the campaign resources designed for health care professionals. You can download them from the Web site or order materials to be mailed to your office at no charge to you.