Autism Signs

18 point check list of possible autism signs

autismsigns — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:44:18 +0000

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

autismsigns — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:50:28 +0000

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

autismsigns — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 01:31:39 +0000

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?

autismsigns — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 23:43:17 +0000

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!