Autism and young children – early detection is key
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MEDINA – Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a wide range of conditions which pose challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors and nonverbal communication.
There are many types of autism and the timing and severity of autism’s first symptoms can vary widely. Some children with autism show hints within the first few months of life, and in some cases, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months.
Other children may appear to develop normally until around 18 to 24 months of age and then stop gaining new skills and/or start losing skills.
In general, autism’s most obvious signs tend to appear between 2 and 3 years of age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates autism’s prevalence as 1 in 68 children in the United States. This includes 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls.
These numbers are part of the reason that April has been recognized as Autism Awareness Month, a time when parents are urged to understand the importance of making sure their children are meeting important developmental milestones.
If a parent becomes concerned about a child missing any development milestones or showing symptoms of autism, the first step is to alert their pediatrician. Professionals urge parents to seek help without delay, as early intervention can greatly improve a child’s outcome. Although parents may be afraid of labeling a child, the earlier the diagnosis is made, the better the chance for improving a child’s future success.
Possible signs of autism in babies and toddlers include: no social smiles, limited to no eye contact, no babbling or use of gestures to communicate (e.g. pointing, reaching, waving etc.), no response to name when called, prefers to be alone, repeats words or phrases over and over, gets upset by minor changes in routine or surroundings, performs repetitive behaviors such as flapping, rocking or spinning and has unusual, and often, intense reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, textures, lights and/or colors.
If you are looking for more information or have questions about autism and autism related resources in Medina County, contact the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) at 330-727-7751 or visit www.mcbdd.org.
The MCBDD works together with a network of professionals and organizations, including local school districts, to develop and provide programs and learning environments for children diagnosed with autism.
There are many types of autism and the timing and severity of autism’s first symptoms can vary widely. Some children with autism show hints within the first few months of life, and in some cases, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months.
Other children may appear to develop normally until around 18 to 24 months of age and then stop gaining new skills and/or start losing skills.
In general, autism’s most obvious signs tend to appear between 2 and 3 years of age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates autism’s prevalence as 1 in 68 children in the United States. This includes 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls.
These numbers are part of the reason that April has been recognized as Autism Awareness Month, a time when parents are urged to understand the importance of making sure their children are meeting important developmental milestones.
If a parent becomes concerned about a child missing any development milestones or showing symptoms of autism, the first step is to alert their pediatrician. Professionals urge parents to seek help without delay, as early intervention can greatly improve a child’s outcome. Although parents may be afraid of labeling a child, the earlier the diagnosis is made, the better the chance for improving a child’s future success.
Possible signs of autism in babies and toddlers include: no social smiles, limited to no eye contact, no babbling or use of gestures to communicate (e.g. pointing, reaching, waving etc.), no response to name when called, prefers to be alone, repeats words or phrases over and over, gets upset by minor changes in routine or surroundings, performs repetitive behaviors such as flapping, rocking or spinning and has unusual, and often, intense reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, textures, lights and/or colors.
If you are looking for more information or have questions about autism and autism related resources in Medina County, contact the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) at 330-727-7751 or visit www.mcbdd.org.
The MCBDD works together with a network of professionals and organizations, including local school districts, to develop and provide programs and learning environments for children diagnosed with autism.
