Symptoms of Autism

Find out if your little one might be displaying signs of autism.

With autism occurring in about 1 in every 68 children, according to the CDC, more and more people are concerned about the developmental disorder that seems to have received quite a bit of attention over the last decade or so. Our Gaithersburg, MD pediatrician, Dr. Farnoush Jamali, believes it’s important that you know the first signs that your child might have autism so that they can receive treatment as soon as possible. Early diagnosis is key.

The range of symptoms for those with autism does tend to vary; however, there are some standard symptoms that those with autism exhibit:

Trouble with Social Interactions

Children with autism will have significant issues with establishing and maintaining friendships. They may lack empathy or have trouble understanding another person’s feelings. They may not show any interest in other people’s hobbies or interests but rather be more focused on themselves and what interests them.

Problems with Communication

When it comes to nonverbal communication, children with autism often have trouble making eye contact. They may have trouble displaying certain facial expressions to go with certain emotions. Children with autism may have delayed speech or never talked at all. They may also have trouble engaging in or starting a conversation. They will usually have difficulty understanding someone else’s perspective or viewpoints, as well.

Children with autism may also display certain odd behaviors like hand flapping or body rocking. Those with autism usually have a strong need for routine and don’t like things to be altered (e.g. they may need you to drive the same way to school everyday). As children with autism get older they may become obsessed or have a preoccupation with certain things like games, toys, etc.

When do autism symptoms first appear?

It’s usually within the first three years of a child’s life that a parent or caregiver starts to notice these behaviors. Even though autism is a congenital disorder, it’s usually impossible to diagnose while the child is still a baby or infant. If your child does start to display some of the symptoms above, it’s always a good idea to come into our Gaithersburg, MD, office for care. Early treatment can help children improve their ability to communicate and relate to their peers, family members and even other people around them.

Prime Pediatrics in Gaithersburg, MD, is dedicated to making sure that your child gets the best medical care possible. If you are concerned that your child might be showing signs of autism, then it’s time you gave us a call. We are here to help!