5 Signs of Autism: What to Look For

Common signs of autism can be difficult to detect, but it is important to be aware of the potential signs and take action if you suspect your child may have autism. Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that the symptoms and severity can vary widely from person to person. Some of the most common signs of autism include avoiding eye contact, delays in speech and communication skills, dependence on rules and routines, discomfort from relatively minor changes, unexpected reactions to sounds, tastes, sights, touch and smells, difficulty understanding other people's emotions, delays in developmental learning, difficulty learning basic skills concepts, lack of responsiveness to stimuli, lack of interest in seeking parental attention, inability to maintain a conversational thread, inability to recognize jokes or sarcasm, and repeating unrelated words and phrases over and over. If you notice any of these signs in your child, it is important to seek professional help as early intervention is key for helping autistic children learn to communicate.

When it comes to identifying signs of autism in children, it is important to remember that the spectrum varies widely. About 46% of people on the spectrum have normal or even above-average intelligence, while 25% show more obvious signs such as being completely non-verbal or having a very limited language proficiency. The first signs of autism usually occur when children are between one and three years old, although in many cases they are not identified and diagnosed until much later. If you suspect your child may have autism, it is important to take action as soon as possible.

Early intervention is key for helping autistic children learn to communicate. It is also important to remember that many parents look for signs of a possible problem simply out of caution. Social skills don't come naturally to people with ASD, so it is important to be aware of the potential signs and take action if you suspect your child may have autism.