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What Are the Early Signs Of Autism?You may have concerns about your infant now. Or, looking back, you may realize that your infant had some difficulties. The following signs are often asociated with autism. However, they can be associated with many other conditions also. Therefore, autism is usually not diagnosed in infancy. Your infant may exhibit extremes of behavior. For example, he may either want to be held most of the time or not much at all. He may either play by himself and hardly fuss, or he may be extremely irritable. Also, her sleep cycles may be totally disrupted. Your baby may sleep for short stretches night and day, or she may reverse her days and nights. Your baby may have unusual feeding and sucking problems. He may even show significant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Due to digestive problems, he may require protein hydrolysate (predigested) baby formula if he is not breast-fed. Your infant may not participate in imaginative play or play baby games. In addition, she may not show stranger anxiety or separation anxiety. She may be ambivalent to her surroundings. Your baby may not follow voices, respond to his name, or smile. Also, he may often avoid eye contact. She may not show social reciprocity, back-and-forth sharing of expressions, and imitation of movements, such as waving “bye-bye”. Your infant may not babble by 12 months, may not say words by 16 months, and may not make meaningful 2 word phrases and follow simple instructions by 24 months. He may inappropriately repeat words and phrases which is called echolalia. In addition, any regression in developmental skills and abilities may indicate the possibility of autism. Any infant who has early signs of autism should be referred for autism screening and autism testing. Early intervention provides the best opportunity for proper treatment and optimal development. First Signs is an organization which is dedicated to the detection of early signs of autism. Return HOME
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