18 point check list of possible autism signs

To aid in the proper diagnosis of autism, the world renowned Mayo Clinic has developed this 18 point check list of possible autism signs found in three crucial areas of development.

If you notice your child is exhibiting one or more of the following, seek further medical advice and testing.

Social skills

• Fails to respond to his or her name
• Has poor eye contact
• Appears not to hear you at times
• Resists cuddling and holding
• Appears unaware of others’ feelings
• Seems to prefer playing alone — retreats into his or her “own world”

Language

• Starts talking later than other children
• Loses previously acquired ability to say words or sentences
• Does not make eye contact when making requests
• Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm — may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech
• Can’t start a conversation or keep one going
• May repeat words or phrases verbatim, but doesn’t understand how to use them

Behavior

• Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand-flapping
• Develops specific routines or rituals
• Becomes disturbed at the slightest change in routines or rituals
• Moves constantly
• May be fascinated by parts of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car
• May be unusually sensitive to light, sound and touch

Learn more here

Man with autism triumphantly sings national anthem at Fenway

The Boston crowd beautifully supports the efforts of a young man with autism as he sings the national anthem during Disability Awareness Day at Fenway before a Red Sox game.

Autism signs identified more accurately now

Thanks to The American Academy of Pediatrics, autism signs can be identified and assessed more effectively now. They’ve recently released two reports including a PDF autism checklist for parents.

Remember, the checklist asks you to indicate how your child usually is – in order to relieve undue concern.

Find the PDF and more here.

Autism signs – has your child displayed any of these?

Have you been noticing possible Autism signs in your child before they’ve even reached their first birthday? Does your child fail to make simple eye contact or appear to have difficulty recognizing your voice?

Do you find that your child has reached the nine month point yet still never utters even a babble? Autism signs in children may appear and be noticed during their very early development – as early as six months – in both behavior and later in language and speech.

In the extreme, you’d notice that your child showed virtually no ability to respond to stimuli from other people. A general lack of responsiveness and interaction especially with their immediate caregivers – may be signs of autism.

Signs to be aware of also include the child not responding to their own name – sometimes you’re not sure whether they actually heard you or not. They’ll tend to resist touchy – feely actions and at times seem lost in their own private universe.

The child may even become overly entranced by objects with a repetitive motion like a spinning toy for an extended period of time.

When they do ask you for something, their speech may be almost robotic or have a strange rhythm and they will rarely look you directly in the eye. Maintaining a flow of conversation is almost non-existent, though their physical movements can be non-stop.

Though usually of high intelligence, the child showing autism signs has difficulty in applying the simplest life skills they have seemingly mastered. Repelling being touched, not being interactive and shunning eye contact with parents while focusing on objects seem to be crucial autism signs.

Although autism is usually diagnosed around the age of three, The American Academy of Pediatrics is suggesting that every child be screened for autism twice by the age of two. Latest estimates from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate as many as one in 150 8-year-olds has a form of autism.

Author Rachel Evans has created “The Essential Guide to Autism”. To find out about more click here!