What Are the Early Signs/first Signs of Autism?

I agree with what the other mothers wrote. I would recommend calling Early Intervention as soon as possible and have him evaluated. The therapists are amazing- especially if you can follow through on what they're teaching. My son was diagnosed with mild PDD and has made tremendous progress in the last six months through early intervention. And like one of the other mother's said, it could be high level sensory issues. Best to have some professionals take a look at the behaviors that concern you. Good luck.

Hi D.
I am a trained social care worker and work with people with autism
To be diagnosed with Autism there has to be impairments in three areas of development.
1.Social interaction 2. Imagination 3. Communication.
I would never suggest here if your son has Autism or not without meeting him.
As a parent if you are worried speak to your doctor about having your son referred for testing.
Early intervention is crucial.
Best of luck
B.

Hi,
My 8 year old has Autism. When you look up the general info you have to remember that each person will show signs but everyone will be different. If you think your child has Autism you should request an evaluation from a child neurologist, they will tell you if your child is on the spectrum or not.

EDIT Autism is a social and language disorder, they can bond, love people, make eye contact and so much more. By social means they don't get social cues like standing WAY to close. Also, sensory processing disorder is a part of Autism. If your child has Autism they will need occupational therapy, speech therapy possibly physical therapy and behavior therapy.

Most people have no clue when it comes to Autism, get a evual then go from there.

Hi. Trust your instinct. It sounds like symptoms of sensory integration disorder. Ask your pediatrician for a referral for a specialist to evaluate your son. Early intervention such as speech therapy and OT make a really big difference. Your pediatrician should have seen this already. You may want to ask friends for recommendations for a more astute pediatrician. Best to you and sweet son.

Not only look in autism but into SPD, Sensory perception disorder. My borther and his wife thought my niece who is 6 now was autistic, turns out she has SPD. It's not too bad to treat SPD but its quite a journey, they use threrapy to correct and and many go on to lead normal lives. Have your doc check for this along with autism

Don't play doctor. Talk to a doctor about your concerns and have him evaluated of advised to do so. The sooner the better. Good luck!

Obviously the best person to ask about your son is a pediatrician. However, my understanidng of autism disorders are that they are more about a lack of emotioonal or social connection. If he cuddles with you and makes eye contact with you, that is a really good sign.

At two it is perfectly normal to ignore other adults or children. Parallel play continues well into the 3s for some kids. Many 2 year olds are easily startled by noises or jumpy and afraid sometimes. And some 2 year olds don't talk until later. My youngest talked in sentences at 16 months, my oldest is almost 3 and only started sentences recently and is hard to understand.

So, while I htink you have to trust your mommy insticts and follow up with your doctor, I don't see anything really alarming in your post. Yes, they could be signs of autism, but they are also in perfectly "normal" kids too. I believe the main issues is really that ability to have a bond and emotinal social interaction with a care giver.

There is such a HUGE, wide spectrum of autism "symptoms" and characteristics. You could look online and find things my son (who does not have autism) does, that could be an autism symptom. Autism, is very complicated, and can take on symptoms of other things. The ONLY way you will know, it to take your son to a specialist. Yes, some of these symptoms are markers of autism, but that doesn't mean he has autism. Take him to your Dr. and get a referral!!

If you are not comfortable with these characteristics get with your pediatrician and local school district asap. Each can direct you on getting him tested and early intervention with whatever it is. My 2 step sons both have autism and each were very different. Dont over concern yourself until you know for sure. I pray and hope he is fine. God bless your little one!

P.S. This isnt something your pediatrician could pick up on as these are things you notice after spending plenty of time observing him. Just press to get him tested. Dont give up and dont take no for an answer.

D.,
Ask the pediatrician to send him to be evaluated. If he does have an issue it is better to get treatment for it now that he is young. Also, when he starts school it will be better for him, and remember that the schools are supposed to help you as well with any type of therapy he might need. But it is better for him to start therapy and treatment now before he starts school. So, don't let it go thinking that it is you seeing things, your mother intuition is better than you think. Have him tested asap. If he doesn't have autism, you don't lose anything, but if he does you will gain an early intervention program that will help him get better.
Blessings.

Pretty much everything you wrote about might be in the normal range or might be a sign of a problem (like autism or sensory processing disorder). Contact Early Intervention for an evaluation. I believe there is also a hospital in your county that specializes in services for special needs children if you need them (I can't recall the name at the moment but will update if I can find it).

If you have any concerns, check with his doctor and find about getting him evaluated by the Early Intervention in your town (it might have a different name, like Birth to Three or something like that). Don't take just one answer from your doctor - pursue it until you are satisfied.

Every kid develops differently but trust your momma instinct that something isn't right and get it checked out by professionals. Don't write him off as autistic yet, there are so many mild and varied symptoms on the Spectrum as well as other stuff. Given what you have written here, I too would be concerned (they sound very familiar to my firstborn son but he also had many repetative behaviors. He was finally diagnosed with PPD-NOS and Sensory Intergration Disorder at age 5). And my son has grown so much with the services he has received from the school system. It isn't so much getting your son a "label" but easing your concerns and getting him help if he needs it. Good luck and know that in any case, you can find people to support you either way!

The spectrum is wide and varied...talk to your pediatrician about your concerns, but to me ( even more importantly) contact Parents as teachers if you have one in your community, they can evaluate and maybe get you connected with someone in First Steps. My son was diagnosed on the spectrum at age 2 and had a lot of similar characteristics. There is no reason to fret, worry or even be alarmed quite yet as every child developes differently. My son is an entirely different child practically after a year of therapy. It could be anything, but unless you have a medical degree I wouldn't worry about a diagnosis, I would be more concerned with early intervention.

** the momma who made the comment about children with Autism not being affectionate has no idea what she is talking about...not only is my son on the spectrum and very affectionate, but my niece is on the severe end of the Autism spectrum and she is quite loving with her mother as well. The spectrum is as wide and varied as each individual.

Concern is a good, appropriate emotion to have, just don't get all panicky and woe is me...a nice consult with your pediatrician and that should lay some of your concerns at ease, also like I said early intervention can accomplish amazing things. My son is 3 and granted he is in a group of other special needs preschool children a few hours a day, 4 days a week...but if someone had been able to show me a glimpse into our future a year ago I would have never have believed how far he has come in the past year. If you have any questions feel free to send me a private message. I really cannot say enough great things about First Steps though, I really feel like in a way they gave us our son back.

Actually, as a person who knows a lot about development, this sounds like your son has not integrated the Moro Reflex yet. Usually, this refelx becomes integrated at about 4 months, but for those who don't, the following symptoms are seen:
• Motion sickness, poor balance and coordination, physically timid
• Poor stamina, hyperactivity followed by fatigue
• Visual problems – Fixation (unable to keep eyes on object for 10+ seconds), excessive blinking, doesn’t maintain eye contact
• Light or auditory hypersensitivity (hears better than others)
• Allergies to food, environment, or drugs
• Hypoglycemia – hyperactive or poor concentration after eating sugary foods or 4 hours after eating (blood sugar is high or low)
• Anxiety (test, separation), mood swings, Difficulty accepting criticism, dislike of change, emotionally sensitive
• Math Difficulties
Your son is obviously too young to have several of the symptoms, but an occupational therapist who is versed in the primitive reflexes can test him - it is a reflex like the one the doctor does when he tests you knee with a rubber pallet. But in this case, it should not be life-long.

The best part about this is that the Moro Reflex is easily integrated at any age. The OT should know the exercises for this, but some do not. If you need to know more, feel free to contact me.

K. Johnson, MS Ed
www.pyramidofpotential.com

You can get a book on the disorder & read up on it.But the first & foremost is get on the phone call your DR in the morning explain to them why you need your son to be seen make that 1st initial appt. & go from there DOCUMENT everything you have told us & more as it comes to mind take it with you they will have papers for you to fill out on his development if they haven't have had those already for his other well child visits..Godd luck hope all goes well let us know in the future after his visits how things are

I would definitely talk to my pediatrician. Maybe get an evaluation. Kids
can be quirky, so this just could just be him. An evaluation will ease your
mind, or get you the therapies that are needed as soon as possible. Good
luck.

Could be. Get in touch with Early Intervention - they'll test him. It's really helpful to get services early. Trust your intuition and know you are always his best advocate - don't abdicate to others. You know best.

Have him evaluated as soon as possible with your early intervention program in your area. They will determine whether he's delayed or not. If he qualifies for services, he can receive them until he's 3 and then he'd have to transition into school system.

mom know when things aren't right.. so check it out.. Ask a Dr. to check him over.. and see what they say.... Good luck.. God Bless all of you..